Telecom Policy

Telcos warn on OTP disruptions as Trai's new traceability rules begin Nov 1

Trai's new mandate, set to take effect on November 1, would require traceability of messages sent by principal entities, including banks, e-commerce platforms, and financial institutions

Supreme Court upholds AERA powers in setback to GMR, Adani groups

The court has overturned the Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT) order and listed the matter to be heard on merits

Telcos can't opt out of new service authorisation regime: Trai chairman

Consultation paper on satellite spectrum to be launched in next few days, Chairman says

Govt likely to take 6 months for notifying new rules for Telecom Act

The DoT is also working on notifying many of the provisions of the Act which haven't come into effect as of yet

Telecom Act 2023 based on inclusion, growth, security for developed India

The Telecommunications Act 2023, which will be implemented partially from June 26, is based on principles of inclusion, security, growth and responsiveness to achieve the vision of developed India, an official statement said on Saturday. The Telecommunications Act, 2023, was passed by Parliament in December 2023. It received the President's assent on December 24, 2023 and was notified the same day. "Guided by the principles of Samavesh (Inclusion), Suraksha (Security), Vriddhi (Growth), and Tvarit (Responsiveness), the Act aims to achieve the vision of Viksit Bharat (Developed India)," the statement said. The rules that will be effective from June 26, will allow the government to take over the control and management of any or all of any telecommunication services or network, in the interest of national security, friendly relations with foreign states, or in the event of war. With these new rules in place, the universal service obligation fund will become Digital Bharat Nidhi, which

Expect govt to allocate 6 GHz band spectrum for 5G network expansion: COAI

Telecom industry body COAI on Wednesday said it expects the government to allocate the 6 GHz band spectrum for 5G network expansion and roll out a fair share data network usage policy to make big apps pay for the excessive traffic generated by them. COAI, whose members include Reliance Jio, Bharti Airtel, Vodafone Idea and others, released its priority wishlist for the newly formed government at the Centre on Wednesday. The body wants the government to increase the number of test labs for accelerating the process of clearing network gear to enable expeditious rollout of telecom networks. Quoting a report from the global telecom industry body GSMA, the Cellular Operators Association of India said India can save as much as USD 10 billion annually in 5G network deployment through the use of the 6 GHz spectrum. "India has made a giant leap in 6G innovations through initiatives, such as Bharat 6G Alliance and Bharat 6G Vision which envisage India to be a leader in 6G innovations and ...

BofA upgrades Voda Idea stk; telcos may up tariff by 20-25% post LS polls

However, the Vodafone Idea stock is not a 'buy' yet as BofA awaits further clarity on funding position improvement post fiscal 2025- 26 (FY26) as the spectrum moratorium ends

Telecom bill attempts spectrum, licensing, dispute resolution reforms

In a key move, it has also allowed telcos to surrender spectrum if they are unutilized. However, the government will not return the amount already paid by the company, people in the know said.

74.4% callers seeking help via Tele-MANAS in 18-45 age group: Govt data

The government's national mental health helpline Tele-MANAS has received 3.4 lakh calls since its launch in October last year with every three out of four callers belonging to the 18-45 age group, official data showed. Of the total 3,46,935 calls that were received, 55.8 per cent were from men while 44.2 per cent from women, according to the Union Health Ministry data. The toll-free helpline received an average of around 2,000 calls in a day and the major reasons for calling were sleep disturbances, sadness of mood, stress related and anxiety in descending order, official sources said. They said 74.4 per cent of the callers fall in the age group of 18 to 45 years. At present, 44 Tele MANAS cells are operating through 33 states and Union Territories including Jammu and Kashmir, Uttarakhand, Delhi, Ladakh, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Jharkhand, West Bengal,Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Goa, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh and Assam. The highest number of

Telecommunication Bill: User verification may be must for messaging apps

Interception clause, platforms believe, may eliminate security benefits of end-to-end encryption

Bill payment reminders, OTPs, promotional content to cost more for firms

Enterprise messages include commercial communication like bill payment reminders, one-time passwords, and promotional messages.

Centre freeing up more 5G spectrum, auction likely next year: Report

5G spectrum: Centre is looking for ways to shift some broadcasting and satellite players from 3.8 GHz to higher frequency

Govt must review private network guidelines: Broadband India Forum

Group says policy announcement gives no predictability to industry about 'way forward'

'Guidelines for telcos' dues conversion into equity likely in a month'

'DIPAM is likely to work on the details and then send it to the Department of Telecom. The process should not take more than a month,' says a senior government official

Govt has no intention to run Vodafone Idea, says telecom firm's CEO

The government will own 35.8 per cent in the financially-stressed firm that has agreed to convert interest on deferred statutory dues.

AGR deferment has resuscitated the idea of a three-player market: Analysts

While most brokerages have given a thumbs up to the development and suggest the provisions give some breathing space to Vodafone Idea (VI), Bharti and Reliance Jio, too, stand to gain

Cabinet approves 4-year moratorium on payment of all govt dues by telcos

Cabinet rationalises AGR definition, excludes non-telecom revenue of telcos from payment of statutory levies, allows 100% automatic FDI in telecom sector with safeguards

Goa government to install 62 mobile towers under telecom policy

The Goa government will install 62 new mobile towers as part of its telecommunication policy to increase network connectivity in the state

The AGR verdict and its impact on Vodafone Idea

Since the Supreme Court has now decided on a 10-year repayment tenure, it would clearly be a big challenge for Vodafone Idea, which is already steeped in debt

Tariff hike in telecom 'inevitable', two rounds likely in 12-18 months: EY

The industry is talking of ARPUs going up anywhere from 60 per cent to 80 per cent over next two-three years, and that can happen by way of tariff increase