Page 2 - Telecom Sector

AT&T targets $18 bn in free cash flow by 2027, driven by 5G, fiber growth

The wireless carrier aims to double its fiber internet availability and enhance its 5G network, offering customers bundled discounts on high-speed fiber data and wireless phone services

Govt's nod for bank guarantee waiver will reduce telcos' burden: COAI

Industry body COAI on Tuesday said the Cabinet nod for bank guarantee waiver for past spectrum purchases is a "landmark decision" that would help reduce financial burden on telecom operators in the country. The association - whose members include Vodafone Idea, Bharti Airtel and Reliance Jio - further said the move will enhance cash flow, free up capital and enable capital investments in network expansion and technology upgrades. This, COAI said, will ensure a stronger and robust rollout of telecom networks in the future. "COAI welcomes the Union Cabinet's move and thanks the Government on approving the waiving of bank guarantee for telecom operators on spectrum purchased before 2022. This landmark decision will significantly help reduce the financial burden on the telecom operators in the country," SP Kochhar, Director General of COAI said in a statement. The Union Cabinet has waived the requirement to submit bank guarantees for spectrum purchased through auctions held before 2022

Vi Q2 results: Net loss narrows to Rs.7,175 crores, Arpu at Rs 156

4G subscriber base falls after 11 quarters, overall user base shrinks 5 million

Companies may require fresh licence for providing satcom services in India

Existing licence-holding satcom players unsure whether new authorisation would be automatic

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

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

Setting the dial to 2030, Bharat 6G Alliance seeks PLI scheme extension

Focus on a 10x jump in patents to lead the 6G wave

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

BSNL launches 7 new services, innovative asset monetisation plans in works

Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd (BSNL) on Tuesday launched a slew of new offerings and initiatives, ranging from spam blockers to automated SIM kiosks and direct-to-device services, as the state-owned firm vowed to proactively woo subscribers and claw back market share. Sporting a brand new logo, BSNL also introduced low latency 5G connectivity for mining operations in partnership with the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (CDAC), leveraging Made-in-India equipment and its technological expertise. In all, 7 new services of the telco were launched by Communications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia. Meanwhile, sources said that the telecom corporation is shifting to a higher gear to grab market share, with a game plan that includes the commercial launch of 4G services in the coming months. The state-owned telco is also giving shape to asset monetisation plans, with an innovative multi-pronged approach that may include identifying land for 'data warehousing' and using the last leg as

Telcos revenue may cross Rs 5 trn in next 2 yrs, says DoT official

Telecom sector revenue may cross Rs 5 lakh crore in the next two years in line with the present growth trend fuelled by ease of doing business measures introduced by the government in the last 2-3 years, a senior Department of Telecom official said on Friday. The DoT's apex decision-making body Digital Communication Commission Member Manish Sinha mooted the idea of relooking at current practices of spectrum allocation and working on new methodologies like dynamic spectrum allocation, and for shorter duration to enhance spectrum usage efficiency and derive its economic value. "I can see that in the last 2 to 3 years, there has been much ease of business, and that reflects in the kind of revenues that the telecom sector is generating now. I hope it continues to grow like that in the next two years, it won't be surprising if we break the barrier of Rs 5 lakh crore in terms of gross revenue from this sector," Sinha said. According to a report by sector regulator Trai, telecom service ..

HFCL expects 70% revenue in fibre optic, 50% in telecom gear from exports

Domestic telecom gear maker HFCL expects 70 per cent of its revenue in fibre optic segment and half of network equipment business will start flowing into the company from exports in the next three years, a top company official said on Wednesday. HFCL Managing Director Mahendra Nahata told PTI that the company is now seeing a surge in demand for 5G gears after telecom operators have installed 5G mobile towers across the country. Apart from optic fibre cable, HFCL provides peripheral telecom equipment that connects with base stations to enhance coverage. "In telecom we have two type of products -- telecom equipment and optical fibre. Our plan in fibre optic cable is in three years time, 70 per cent of our revenue should come from exports. In telecom equipment, in three years, around 50 per cent of revenue will come from exports," Nahata said. He said the company is already exporting fibre optic cables to 40 countries and has recently started exports of telecom equipment as well. "Ma

IMC 2024: Satcom takes centre stage as Sunil Mittal says 'buy spectrum'

No auction of satellite spectrum: Telecom minister

Indian data should remain in Indian data centres, says Akash Ambani

Ambani also urged the government to expedite the draft of the 2020 data centre policy

DoT launches new system to stop fraudulent international calls with telcos

4.5 million or one-third of such calls being stopped

Trai seeks help from RBI, sectoral regulators to push via anti-spam process

The new Digital Consent Acquisition process allows consumers to consent to receive commercial texts, calls

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

Telcom firms, Scindia discuss AGR, OTP apps exclusion from licensing rules

Telecom operators in a meeting with Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia expressed concerns over regulator Trai excluding messaging and calling apps like WhatsApp and Telegram in its recommendation on new licensing rules, sources aware of the development said. Operators also discussed issues concerning adjusted gross revenue payments, they added. The meeting was attended by Reliance Jio Chairman Akash Ambani, Vodafone Idea CEO Akshaya Moondra, Bharti Airtel MD and CEO Gopal Vittal and BSNL Chairman and Managing Director Robert J Ravi. "All telecom operators expressed concern over the exclusion of over-the-top apps by Trai in its recommendation on Service Authorisation. Vodafone Idea and Bharti Airtel raised the issue of adjusted gross revenue," a source said. Telecom operators have been demanding for a long time to bring calling and messaging apps, called as OTTs, under the ambit of telecom licences as they provide calling and messaging services like any telecom operator. The Telec

BSNL adds 2.9 mn users after telecom rivals hiked tariffs in July

State-owned telecom company was the only one in industry not to raise tariff

SC rejects telecom firms' pleas on AGR case, Vodafone Idea stocks tank

Failure of last legal recourse by telcos to hit Vi the hardest despite the firm paying back Rs 7,900 crore