Telecommunications | Business Upturn

Bharti Airtel extends connectivity to remote Marwah region in Jammu & Kashmir

Business Desk — Tue, 10 Mar 2026 07:04:08 +0000

Bharti Airtel has expanded its network footprint to the remote Marwah region, linking Kishtwar and Anantnag in Jammu & Kashmir. This move makes Airtel the first and only service provider to offer reliable mobile connectivity in this strategically significant area.

The Marwah region, known for its rugged terrain and limited seasonal road access, often remains isolated during winters due to heavy snowfall. This isolation has historically forced residents to rely on mules or foot travel for essential supplies and emergencies. Airtel’s high-speed network rollout in this 150-km corridor marks a transformative step, providing seamless connectivity to residents, security forces, and tourists.

Dibyendu Aich, COO of Jammu and Kashmir, Bharti Airtel, stated, “We are proud to bridge the digital divide in Marwah, bringing high-speed mobile connectivity to a region long isolated by nature’s toughest barriers.” Airtel’s expansion into high-altitude and remote areas highlights its commitment to strengthening India’s digital backbone.

Bharti Airtel, headquartered in India, is a global communications solutions provider with a presence in 15 countries across India and Africa. The company is among the top three mobile operators globally, with networks covering over two billion people.

Disclaimer: This article is based on a regulatory filing submitted to the National Stock Exchange of India (NSE).

5G Spectrum Auction has concluded with approximately Rs 1.5 lakh crore in total bids: Report

Aryan Jakhar — Mon, 01 Aug 2022 09:20:00 +0000

According to a PTI report, India’s first-ever 5G spectrum auction ended today with spectrum worth Rs1,50,173 crore being sold. This afternoon marked the conclusion of the seven-day auction.

The seventh day of the auction was on Monday. The selling revenues as of now total Rs1,50,173 crore, and the final figures are still being added up.

The bidders for 5G airwaves included Reliance Industries’ Jio, competitors Bharti Airtel and Vodafone Idea, as well as billionaire Gautam Adani’s Adani Enterprises Ltd.

The 5G spectrum that can provide ultra-high-speed internet has been up for auction for the past six days, and bids totaling Rs1,50,130 crore have been submitted. On Sunday, seven further rounds of bidding “dialled in” an additional Rs163 crore.

The 5G auction, according to prior comments from Telecom Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, highlighted the industry’s desire to grow and its transition into a growth era.

Vaishnaw expected the launch of 5G by October of this year. According to the government, 5G can offer data rates roughly ten times quicker than 4G.

Airtel & Vi to pay ₹3,050 crores as fine to the Department of Telecommunications: Report

Ayisha Farah — Fri, 01 Oct 2021 05:45:26 +0000

Telecom firms (telcos) Bharti Airtel and Vodafone Idea (Vi) received notices from the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) for the payment of a total penalty of Rs 3,050 crore, The Economic Times reported. It was reported that the fines are expected to be paid within three weeks.

The report stated that the fine is for “flouting licence conditions by denying Reliance Jio Infocomm adequate points of connection (PoIs) in 2016, which affected the quality of services”.

Vi has to pay Rs 2,000 crore, and Airtel has to pay Rs 1,050 crore. The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) suggested Rs 1,050 fines for both for “not granting adequate PoIs in 21 circles each” in 2016. Vi’s more significant penalty comes from the merging with Idea Cellular in 2018, which was fined Rs 950 crore for defying laws in 19 circles.

A spokesperson from Airtel said the paper described the demand as irrational and unfair and that they are very disappointed.

“These allegations were frivolous and motivated. Bharti Airtel takes pride in maintaining high standards of compliance and has always followed the law of the land. We will challenge the demand and pursue the legal options available to us,” they added. Vi did not respond to the inquiries, according to the report.

The report continued that while DoT had affirmed TRAI’s suggestions in June 2019, it did not follow the notices till now.

In October 2019, TRAI had ordered that Airtel, Idea and Vodafone measures ahead of Jio’s launch “appeared to stifle competition and were against the public interest” and justified the strictest action, licence removal, but rather suggested the costliest financial fines of Rs 50 crore per circle, “keeping in mind consumer inconveniences”.

The bills arrive in addition to the vast aggregated gross revenue (AGR) and spectrum dues which are pending by both telcos and follow after the Centre’s September reformations which gives the debt-pressed sector some relaxation.

Bharti Airtel to invest ₹5000 crores to scale up its data centres

Cheryll Jain — Thu, 30 Sep 2021 11:22:29 +0000

Bharti Airtel on Thursday announced the launch of its rebranded business unit ‘Nxtra by Airtel’ which will focus on developing data centres in the country. The telecom giant also announced that the company will invest ₹5,000 crores to scale up its data centre business to meet the rapidly increasing customer demand in and around the country by 2025. Airtel assumes that the data centre business in India could grow into a $4 billion market in the next four years.

At a virtual press conference launching the new brand identity, Ajay Chitkara, director and CEO of Airtel Business, said “Airtel has built the largest data centre network in India and we are now doubling down on this business to scale up our network that will be at the core of 5G and Digital India.”

Revealing the aim of Airtel’s new business unit, Chitkara commented, “Our experience of operating secure data centres, deep brand trust in the enterprise segment and the ability to deliver end-to-end digital transformation solutions positions us well to serve the emerging requirements of India’s connected economy. The new brand identity embodies this vision and ambition.”

Chitkara stated that the ₹5000 crore investment is being made by Nxtra with plans to build a data centre economy across 80 cities in India, adding that the move will triple its currently installed capacity to more than 400 MW. “We are making a fresh investment of ₹5,000 crores to expand our data centres. Some of the work has already started. As an organisation, we are trying to build an ecosystem, which will cover 70 more cities,” the CEO stated.

“There is a huge potential and huge demand (for data centres) which is expected in the next three to four years time,” he further stated.

According to Airtel, the investment will see the addition of 7 hyperscale data centre campuses in the country to facilitate its plan to expand capacity to 400MW, which will not only meet the growing demand from within India but will also cater to demand from neighbouring countries such as Bangladesh and Nepal.

Sustainability will continue to remain a key focus area for Airtel as it is planning to increase the share of renewable, green power in running data centres to 50% from 35% at present.

Tech startup Astrome raises $3.4 million in funding

Cheryll Jain — Tue, 28 Sep 2021 07:21:48 +0000

Astrome Technologies, a Bengaluru-based startup specialising in providing telecommunication services to telecom service providers, enterprises and defence, has raised a total of USD 3.4 million in its latest round of funding led by IAN Fund, Germany based Urania Ventures and US-based Cognizant’s founder Lakshmi Narayanan.

A statement released to the press on September 28 stated that others to join the funding round included investors such as Impact Collective of South Korea, ArtPark of India and a consortium of US-based angel investors.

The statement further read that the reason for this funding round is to help Astrome Technologies “expand into the US market, strengthen global operator trials, and further commercialisation of its core technology through new products”.

Moreover, the Co-Founder of Astrome, Dr Neha Satak, commented on the company’s growth since its inception in 205. She said, “Our first two products, GigaMesh and GigaSat have a combined addressable market of USD 34 billion, globally. This market is expanding quickly due to the rising need for mobile and broadband communication infrastructure as a result of the change in lifestyle in the last 2 years.”

These plans of expanding into the US market have been in the making since the company signed its first overseas deal with a South-East Asian telecom operator in 2021.

Prior to the funding, the company had also signed a contract with Indian Defence forces to deploy their pioneer product GigaMesh for “fulfilling the strategic communication requirements of the country”, the statement said.

GigaMesh, a wireless-fibre product that accelerates the deployment of 5G and rural broadband infrastructure, had won the International Telecommunication Union’s (ITU) Virtual Digital World SME award for the most promising innovative solution in connectivity in December last year.

Top mobile brands and their manufacturing country: Read here

Sneha Sengupta — Wed, 01 Sep 2021 10:01:44 +0000

Technology has evolved tremendously through years. Starting from the first computer to the latest smart gadgets, technology paved its way through impediments and carved a niche for itself. Listing below most-richly valued companies in the world, accepted by one and all.

Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.

Samsung Electronics, popularly known as Samsung, is a South Korean electronics conglomerate that had its roots back to March 1, 1938, around 83 years ago. It was established by Lee Byung-chul in Daegu. It was later headquartered in the Yeongtong District of Suwon. Samsung Electronics possesses a wide network across 74 countries wherein its assembly plants and sales is laid out consisting 290,000 people working under each branch. Through the years, the company has emerged to be the largest manufacturer of consumer electronics pertaining to its revenue model in the world with a market capitalization stood of US$520.65 billion.

Nokia Corporation

Nokia is a multinational telecommunications and IT company based in Finland which is founded in 1865. It is headquartered in Espoo, Finland and in greater Helsinki metropolitan region, however it is primarily based in Tampere, Pirkanmaa. In 2020, Nokia generated employment opportunities across 100 different countries and is spread over in more than 130 countries with a revenue of €23 billion. It was founded by Fredrik Idestam, Leo Mechelin and Eduard Polon.

Intex Technologies

An India-based multinational electronics manufacturing services company that deals in making products like smartphones, consumer electronics, and miscellaneous accessories. Initially, its was incepted by Narendra Bansal in 1996 at New Delhi which is now succeeded by Keshav Bansal, son (heir) of Narendra Bansal who is the present active director of the company.

Realme

Realme is a Chinese electronic company that was introduced in the year 2010 with a coined name of “OPPO Real”. It served as a sub-brand of OPPO (a BBK Electronics subsidiary) until its emergence in the Indian landscape on May 4, 2018. Enjoying a worldwide reach of its operations and services it was setup by Sky Li, three years ago. It has now emerged as the fourth largest smartphone brand in India with effect from 2019, after Xiaomi, Samsung, and Vivo.

Lenovo Group Limited

Lenovo is a China-based multinational IT company, established around 36 years ago (in 1 November 1984), by Liu Chuanzhi, deals with electronics and computer hardware electronics at a worldwide network. Integrated in Hong Kong, it has later mould its shape in: Beijing, China (its global headquarters), operational headquarters in Morrisville, US, and its operational center situated at Singapore. The electronic company came to light being the largest personal computer vendor (unit sales comparison) in the world with effect from January 2021.

Apple Inc.

Apple Inc. one of the most talked about company was founded by Steve Jobs, Steve Wozniak, and Ronald Wayne in 1976 (headquartered in California, US) in an approach to sell its computers. By 1980, the group went into the public platform after achieving massive success and appreciation. As of 2021, Apple is one of the most valued company with the highest revenue model of $274.5 billion, thereby listing its name amongst the Big Five American ITs alongside Amazon, Google, Microsoft, and Facebook.

Oppo Mobile Telecommunications Corp., Ltd.

Fairly known as OPPO is a consumer electronics and mobile communications enterprise introduced by Tony Chen, Mndeni S. Thabede and Bandile Madela in October 10, 2004. It is based in Dongguan, Guangdong. Its brand name was inscribed in the year 2001 in China and later came into being in 2004 with a conviction of “Human for mankind, kindness for the world.” It has augmented its reach in over 40 countries evolving as a major smartphone manufacturer in China with 200,000 retail units.

Vivo Communication Technology Co. Ltd.

Quoted as ‘Vivo’ is a China-based tech venture founded by Shen Wei in the year 2009. It is headquartered in Dongguan, Guangdong that employes over 10,000 across different regions. It is an independent venture that fabricates its own products comprising a range of smartphones, HiFi, mobile accessories, software programs and online services. The company has its research and development centers in 4 locations namely., Shenzhen, Guangdong, Nanjing and Jiangsu.

Telecom providers lost 8.2 million subscribers in April: TRAI

Chittesh Dalmia — Sat, 25 Jul 2020 08:57:58 +0000

Telecom companies lost 82.3 lakh (8.2 million) subscribers during the COVID-19 lockdown period of April, data released by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) on Friday showed.

As per the reports received from 342 operators in April, TRAI said the number of broadband subscribers decreased from 68.7 crore at the end of March to 67.6 crore at the end of April with a monthly decline rate of 1.64%.

Top five service providers constituted 98.98 per cent market share of total broadband subscribers with Reliance Jio Infocomm (38.9 crore), Bharti Airtel (14.4 crore), Vodafone Idea (11.1 crore), BSNL (2.1 crore) and Atria Convergence (16 lakh).

The TRAI said total wireless subscribers (2G, 3G and 4G) decreased from 115.7 crore at the end of March to 115 crore at the end of April, thereby registering a monthly decline rate of 0.71 per cent.

Wireless subscription in urban areas decreased from 63.8 crore to 62.9 crore but increased in rural areas from 51.9 crore to 52 crore. Monthly growth rates of urban and rural wireless subscription were minus 1.42 per cent and 0.16 per cent respectively.

Source: ANI

Vodafone-Idea recently got a favourable order against Income Tax Department from the Apex Court.