2G
Airtel and Jio expected to log steady growth, Vi may falter
Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel are expected to show steady growth in the June quarter, driven by strong broadband user additions, while Vodafone Idea (Vi) is likely to experience a dip in revenue due to ongoing customer losses. Airtel is anticipated to outperform Jio in terms of average revenue per user (ARPU) due to 2G-to-4G conversions and rising postpaid adoption. Vi's ARPU is expected to remain stagnant amidst limited 4G user gains.
Telecom tariff hike: Govt, regulator won't intervene in matter
The government and the telecom regulator do not plan to intervene in telecom companies' decisions to raise prices, stating that tariffs in India remain among the lowest globally. Authorities, however, want the companies to enhance the quality of services.
Jio, Airtel pricing strategy shows they still target Vi’s 2G users: Analysts
Analysts suggest that Vodafone Idea could encounter difficulties in retaining its 2G subscribers, as recent tariff increases indicate that competitors like Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel remain focused on attracting Vi's low-end customers. Reliance Jio has maintained its rates for 4G feature phones, while Bharti Airtel has made minimal adjustments to its basic plans, highlighting their strategies to capture Vi's 2G user base.
Reliance Jio takes the lead, hikes tariff by 12-25 per cent; Airtel & Vi likely to follow suit
Mobile phone bills are set to increase as Reliance Jio Infocomm announced a 12-25% hike in tariffs starting July 3. This marks the first major rate increase by a telecom company since 2021. Bharti Airtel and Vodafone Idea are expected to follow suit. The hike aims to boost average revenue per user (ARPU) in light of significant 5G investments. Jio’s rate hikes will affect most plans, but not JioBharat or JioPhone users.
Tariff hikes may slow migration of feature phone users to smartphones: Experts
Recent steep tariff hikes by major Indian telecom companies are set to bolster the base of 4G feature phone users, shielding them from significant cost increases compared to smartphone users. This move is expected to slow down the migration to 5G smartphones. Industry experts suggest that while data consumption among 5G users remains strong, the tariff adjustments may lead smartphone brands to offer bundled data deals to spur sales. Overall, the impact on consumer behavior post-hike is anticipated to be moderated by entrenched data usage patterns.
Vodafone Idea's 'big' spectrum spend to help plug user exodus
Analysts added that Vi's spectrum spends of about Rs 3,510 crore - almost 12 times its Rs 300 crore earnest money deposit (EMD) - on the heels of a recent fundraise of about Rs 23,000 crore suggests the telco is preparing for network rollouts and plans to use its fresh 900 MHz spectrum to enhance 4G experience and rein in customer losses.
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5G spectrum auctions: Bharti Airtel likely largest bidder, govt mops up around Rs 11,300 crore
India's second 5G spectrum auction concluded around Wednesday noon after seven rounds, lasting just over a day, with the government collecting approximately Rs 11,300 crore. Bharti Airtel is likely the largest bidder, acquiring airwaves in the sub-GHz 900 MHz band as well as in the 1800 and 2100 MHz bands. Market leader Reliance Jio likely bought 5G bandwidth in the 1800 MHz band.
Airtel prepays Rs 7,904 crore to clear 2012, 2015 spectrum dues
Bharti Airtel has prepaid Rs 7,904 crore to the telecom department, clearing the remaining part of the payment relating to spectrum bought in 2012 and 2015 auctions. This move will lead to interest cost savings and help Airtel save on interest costs annually and boost cash flows as its nation-wide 5G rollout nears completion.
Airtel prepays Rs 7,904 cr to clear all spectrum dues
Bharti Airtel has prepaid ₹7,904 crore to the telecom department, clearing the remaining payment for spectrum bought in 2012 and 2015 auctions. This move will lead to interest cost savings and boost cash flows as the company nears the completion of its nationwide 5G rollout. The prepaid amount fully clears all deferred liabilities pertaining to spectrum acquired in the 2012 and 2015 auctions, which had the highest interest costs of 9.75% and 10%, respectively. The company had opted for a four-year moratorium on spectrum and adjusted gross revenue payments, estimated to give it around ₹48,000 crore in cash flow relief.
EV owners may soon sell battery power back to grids like rooftop solar scheme
With V2G technology, EV owners can charge their vehicles during off-peak hours and sell the stored power when their vehicle is not in use, earning incentives set by the Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission. "This is pretty much like selling surplus rooftop power to the grid and earning incentives," said the official.
Vi expects to clear all vendor dues in FY26, say analysts
According to Vodafone Idea management, proceeds from Rs 18,000 crore FPO and proposed Rs 25,000 crore debt funding would enable telco to also upgrade network, say analysts.
2G scam case: D Subbarao's new book calls into question CAG's version of 'presumptive loss'
In his new book 'Just A Mercenary?: Notes from My Life and Career', Subbarao wrote at length on his role in the decision-making on the pricing of the 2G spectrum, an issue that later ballooned into a huge controversy for UPA-2 government.
No intention to seek change of 2012 spectrum ruling, only to inform top court, says govt
The government's application, not seeking to alter the 2012 Supreme Court order on auctioning frequencies, was rejected by the registrar. The application was deemed impermissible due to a past withdrawn review petition and misconceived attempt to seek clarifications.
SC registrar refuses to accept govt's plea for allowing administrative allocation of spectrum
The registrar said the government was seeking a review of the 2012 order "in the guise" of seeking clarifications and said the move was "misconceived", adding that there was no "reasonable cause" for entertaining the plea and that too after a lengthy period of time.
"This is Modi Ji's 5G mega scam..." says AAP MP Sanjay Singh on request of centre on 2G spectrum case
AAP's Sanjay Singh accuses PM Modi of a '5G mega scam,' prioritizing friends over the nation. Singh criticizes Modi for favoring friends, influencing spectrum license allocation, and appointing his nephew as BCCI chairman. The case involves allegations, court rulings, and parliamentary decisions.
Govt not seeking to change SC ruling backing auction of spectrum
The government on Monday sought an urgent hearing in the Supreme Court on its plea filed in December last year, which sought to know in which instances can spectrum be given administratively.
2G spectrum case: Govt moves Supreme Court seeking modification of 2012 verdict
In 2012, the top court had set aside the 122 spectrum 2G spectrum licences that were allotted on a first-come-first-served basis. It held that for spectrum and all natural resources, auctions would be the only method for allocation that would fulfil the constitutional requirements of fairness, equality and transparency guaranteed under the Right to Equality enshrined in the Constitution of India.
Vodafone Idea allocates Rs 5,720 crore for 5G from FPO proceeds, but overall capex to be far higher
The telco aims to bring 40% of its existing revenue base under 5G coverage within the next 24-30 months. For 4G, Vi will invest in refarming the 900MHz and the 2100MHz spectrum for better coverage as well as expand 4G population coverage in 17 priority circles, chief executive Akshaya Moondra said at a news briefing.
Congress committed scams in all three worlds: J P Nadda
BJP President JP Nadda criticized Congress for various scams and corruption allegations during an election rally in Rampur. He accused opposition leaders of being involved in scams and emphasized PM Modi's anti-corruption stance. Nadda highlighted developmental initiatives in Rampur and the progress under BJP rule. Uttar Pradesh's transformation was also discussed.
First batch of Indian workers left for Israel; India urges Tel Aviv to ensure their safety
India has urged Israel to ensure the safety of over 60 Indian construction workers who have left for Israel under a bilateral agreement. The workers are part of a government-to-government agreement signed between India and Israel. Around 18,000 Indian caregivers are currently employed in Israel, and the Indian embassy is in touch with them. The Israeli construction industry is considering recruiting 100,000 Indian workers to replace the 90,000 Palestinians.
First batch of 60-plus Indian construction workers leaving for Israel: Envoy
Naor Gilon, the Israeli envoy to India, announced that a group of more than 60 Indian construction workers is heading to Israel under a government-to-government agreement. He expressed hope that these workers would serve as 'ambassadors' for the strong people-to-people relations between India and Israel, while also praising India's National Skill Development Corporation for facilitating the initiative.
HC allows CBI to challenge acquittal of A Raja, others
Delhi High Court grants CBI appeal to challenge A Raja and Kanimozhi's 2G acquittal, citing contradictions in trial court judgment. Case complexity emphasized, with focus on sensitive handling and deeper examination of key transactions.
HC admits CBI's appeal challenging acquittal of A Raja, others in 2G scam case
The Delhi High Court admitted the CBI's appeal against the acquittal of former telecom minister A Raja and others in the 2G spectrum allocation scam case. Justice Dinesh Kumar Sharma granted "leave to appeal," stating a prima facie case exists. The appeal will be heard in detail in May, following the court's decision.
DMK enemy of Tamil Nadu's future, has hatred for the country and its heritage, alleges PM Modi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched a scathing attack on Tamil Nadu's ruling DMK, branding it an 'enemy' of the state's future and accusing it of harboring animosity towards the nation's culture and heritage. He criticized the opposition INDIA bloc for corruption, contrasting it with his government's development initiatives.
Defence ends its arguments, CBI rejoinder this week
The defence counsel concluded their counter arguments opposing the appeal filed by the CBI challenging the acquittal of A Raja and others in the 2G spectrum allocation case. The Delhi High Court is likely to reserve its judgment this week on alleged illegal gratification and money trail.
Telcos free to take a call on shutting down 2G services, says DoT
Experts feel that 2G technology is likely to remain mainstream in India at least for the next two-three years as a good number of people still use it, particularly those who can't afford a smartphone. As per industry data, around 50 million 2G phones are sold in a year while there are over 500,000 2G base tower stations in the country, majority owned by Bharti Airtel, followed by Vodafone Idea and state-run BSNL/MTNL.
Voda Idea opposes Reliance Jio's suggestion to phase out 2G, 3G networks
"We submit that such comments and demands are rhetoric in nature and ignore the severe impact on existing customers from a network shutdown through regulatory mandates," Vi said in a counter response to Jio's comments on a consultation paper for promoting 5G transformation, published by the regulator.
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