TELECOM SECTOR REGULATOR
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.
Banks in a bind over Trai mandate on digital consent
Banks are grappling with new regulations from the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) requiring digital consent for commercial communication. This has prompted lenders to seek government clarity on whether consent is needed for sharing transaction details, as per Reserve Bank of India guidelines. The move aims to combat cyber fraud, with banks also requesting special prefixes for customer calls following last month's finance ministry directive.
India best emerging market story; haven't ever seen valuations and fundamentals so attractive: Mihir Vora
The US economy has been much better than expected. It has been stronger for longer and of course, then it also translates to higher interest rates for longer, probably, but the fact is that the US economy is doing quite well.
Expect a rally in PSU bank stocks in next few days: Vinit Bolinjkar
While IT remains a trading pick, I am cautious due to potential downside risks in the US market affecting IT jobs. Pharma and FMCG are top picks due to the expected resurgence in consumption, likely to drive strong performances over the next quarters.
Know all about the Telecom Act which came into effect on June 26
(DoT) initiated the process in July 2022 and a draft Bill was put out for consultation in September that year. During the consultation process, 60 ministries, 35 associations, 89 companies including seven telcos and internet service providers, and over 700 other entities responded. The Bill was introduced in the Lok Sabha on December 18, 2023, and was passed by the Lower House of Parliament on December 20, 2023 and the Rajya Sabha on the following day.
Trai invites views on norm for transferring ownership of machine-to-machine SIMs
The telecom regulator, Trai, is seeking industry views on allowing critical M2M communication services on unlicensed airwaves. It has identified 20 critical M2M services, including those for connected & autonomous vehicles, remote surgery, and smart grid operations.
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Centre puts guidelines for curbing pesky call menace in public domain; invites comments
According to estimates, India ranks among the largest markets for SMS phishing, amid a growing mobile user base and low phone tariffs. Some industry estimates say one of every 12 people is vulnerable every month to phishing. More than 120-150 million phishing messages are sent every month, with 60-75 million unique citizens vulnerable to attacks. Roughly 300,000 people get scammed, but only 35,000-45,000 report these incidents.
Trai suggests infrastructure status, single-window clearance for broadcasting sector
In July 2023, the ministry of information and broadcasting had urged Trai to provide its inputs for the formulation of the NBP. The Trai had issued a consultation paper on NBP seeking stakeholder comments in April. While suggesting steps to grow the TV and radio footprint in the country, the regulator has also asked the MIB to establish a credible audience measurement system for TV, radio, and OTT.
TRAI calls upon MIB to establish credible measurement system for TV, radio, OTT
The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has recommended establishing a transparent audience measurement system for television, radio, and OTT services to the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. It suggests revamping the existing system, expanding sample sizes, encouraging multiple rating agencies, and utilising advanced technologies. TRAI also proposes granting infrastructure status to the broadcasting sector to boost investment, streamlining processes, measuring broadcasting's impact on GDP, implementing a policy for the AVGC sector, and expanding TV reach through broadband infrastructure and subsidised schemes for underserved populations.
WhatsApp business calling service won't disrupt traditional toll-free channels: Experts
WhatsApp's recent introduction of calling features for businesses is not expected to significantly impact traditional telecom voice calling. Experts in the communications sector believe it will focus on "contextual calling" rather than disrupting toll-free customer service lines used by large enterprises.
Trai won’t charge users for multiple SIMs
The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India has denied reports of planning to charge consumers for multiple SIMs. Trai clarified that there are no proposals for fees on numbering resources, emphasising efficient allocation. Trai's discussion paper aims to enhance telecom services through effective use of telecommunications identifiers.
TRAI broadens scope of telecom consumer education fund
The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) on Friday amended regulations 6 and 13 of the Telecommunication Consumers Education and Protection Fund (TCEPF) principal rules to enable utilisation of the fund for expenses relating to preparation, maintenance, audit of accounts, and for the participation of representatives of consumer groups attending meetings of the Committee for Utilisation of Telecommunication Consumers Education & Protection Fund (CUTCEF).
Trai meets BFSI regulators, companies to use 160 series for voice calls
The telecom regulator has collaborated with financial sector regulators and top banks to discuss the efficient use and implementation of the newly allocated 160-series numbering series for transactional and service calls. This series aims to reduce pesky calls and prevent fraud by providing easy identification of the calling entity. Entities regulated by RBI, SEBI, IRDAI, and PFRDA will use the 160-series, with central and state government entities using 1600ABCXXX and financial entities using 1601ABCXXX. Additionally, measures like migrating the 140 series to the DLT platform and implementing digital consent scrubbing are expected to control spam calls from 10-digit numbers.
Reliance's Jio Platforms clears hurdle in bid to launch satellite internet in India
Joint venture between Reliance Industries' Jio Platforms and SES, based in Luxembourg, has received the green light from the Indian space regulator to operate satellites in the country, according to a government official. Orbit Connect India, aimed at delivering high-speed internet access via satellites, has secured three approvals. This development emerges amidst a competitive landscape where companies like Amazon.com and Elon Musk's Starlink are seeking approval to launch satellite communication services in India, the world's most populous nation.
Karnataka extends exemption for startups, tech firms from labour regulations for five years
The State Government has extended the exemption for IT/ITES companies from the Industrial Employment (Standing Orders) Act for five more years, benefiting about 18 lakh employees in 8785 IT/BT companies. The exemption aims to address concerns of arbitrary termination, harassment, and promote growth in the technology sector.
Jyotiraditya Scindia is new telecom minister
Jyotiraditya Scindia, the Minister of Communications in the Modi Cabinet 3.0, faces key challenges in overseeing the 5G spectrum auction, ensuring the survival of Vodafone Idea, and implementing new telecom rules. His role also involves making decisions on satellite spectrum usage and improving the quality of telecom services for consumers. Scindia's return to the Cabinet marks a significant political journey from the Congress to the BJP, highlighting his academic background and past political affiliations.
Trai reviewing norms for inactive landline and mobile connections, seeks feedback
The telecom regulator is seeking input on defining inactive landline and mobile connections as part of a discussion paper for a revised national numbering plan. It also seeks industry suggestions on reusing numbering resources from inactive connections.
GX Group to make telecom gear in India for the world
GX Group plans to establish a new Rs 100-crore manufacturing facility in India to export FTTH equipment globally, supporting the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative. This will be their second plant, following a 2021 Haryana unit. The new facility will produce Wi-Fi routers and GPON equipment for Indian and international markets, including Europe and Africa.
Top technology, aviation companies may dial DoT for service call numbers
As more businesses in sectors such as ride-hailing, food-tech, quick grocery commerce, as well as social media adopt voice calls as an option to authenticate users, it makes sense for them to differentiate themselves from fraud numbers. The department of telecommunications (DoT) on Tuesday allocated 160 numbering series for transactional and service calls made by businesses for commercial purposes. This was done mainly to protect mobile phone users from the surging nuisance of pesky calls and messages, which also lead to financial fr
Trai to tighten rules to check pesky communication
The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) plans to strengthen regulations and increase penalties to combat pesky communications affecting mobile phone users. Trai will issue a consultation paper to tighten rules and prevent misuse of the system, according to chairman Anil Kumar Lahoti. The government has allocated a new 160 numbering series for service and transactional calls, distinguishing them from promotional calls using the 140 series.
Trai may give telcos time for upgrading their IT systems
Telecom operators are holding consultations with officials from the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) regarding the new rules that have come into effect. Since a large amount of data has to be submitted and the format is also different, the industry needs some time to upgrade their systems.
Telecom service sector's AGR up 1.8 pc to Rs 67,835 cr in Dec 2023 quarter: Trai data
The Adjusted Gross Revenue (AGR) of India's telecom service sector rose by 1.88% to Rs 67,835 crore in the December 2023 quarter, according to Trai's data. Year-on-year, the AGR increased by 7.84%. Access services accounted for 82% of the total AGR, with Bharti Airtel's AGR increasing by 3.2% to about Rs 20,480.6 crore, Reliance Jio's AGR climbing 2.7% to Rs 24,862.85 crore, and Vodafone Idea's AGR dipping 0.65% to about Rs 7,459 crore. Public Sector Undertakings' share in the Access AGR was 3.87% in the quarter.
Trai recommends govt funding for testing new telecom innovations as part of sandbox framework
The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) has suggested that the government should provide funding for testing new products in the communications sector to bridge the digital divide. The regulatory sandbox framework allows entrepreneurs to test their products on live networks even without funding. However, the regulator emphasizes the need for network security and consumer protection.
Telcos unanimous in opposing Trai tougher quality norm proposals
Consumer advocacy groups, however, have backed the regulator in demanding guardrails that hold telcos accountable for the quality of service, prompting telcos and telecom associations to oppose the draft regulations. The regulator has asked stakeholders to send more comments by April 22.
Wait for M2M critical services definition likely to get longer
The telecom industry is worried that any further delay in defining critical services would lead to security implications as currently most of the M2M communications, including in power and infrastructure sectors, are happening on non-licensed spectrum with no security parameters, putting such networks at risk.
Telecom regulator releases recommendations for embedded SIMs in IoT devices
The recommendations by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) released Thursday are meant to address issues in regulating the IoT landscape that includes the likes of smart meters, agricultural sensors and more, that is growing in the face of increasing digitisation of the economy. TRAI also recommended the Telecom Engineering Center (TEC) to examine possiblity of devising a standard process for device-to-device transfer of profiles on consumer eSIMs.
Trai puts in additional conditions for MNP
Telecom regulator restricts porting after SIM swap to prevent fraud. Trai introduces rule denying UPC request within 7 days of replacement. MNP, launched in 2009, expanded to full number retention nationwide by 2015.
Ministries need to coordinate & act to check menace of phishing via spam calls, messages: Trai chief Anil Kumar Lahoti
The recent recommendations for CNAP do not raise privacy concerns, according to the telecom regulator's chairman. He highlighted the need for collaboration between ministries to tackle phishing and emphasized Trai's role in data protection regulations.
Suits & Sayings: Weekly roundup of the quirkiest office gossip from corporate corridors and beyond
Here is a weekly feature offering a humorous yet insightful roundup of the most intriguing whispers and murmurs circulating within corporate corridors and policy parlours. Each edition provides readers with a peek into the latest gossip, speculation, and noteworthy developments, providing a blend of entertainment and industry insights.
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