Prasoon Srivastava

All stories by Prasoon Srivastava

Startup story set for better script in 2024 after a bleak '23

Startup story set for better script in 2024 after a bleak '23

Rediff.com28 Dec 2023

Funding winter and corporate governance woes separated the men from the boys in the country's startup space in 2023 that saw funds into the segment tapering to just around $8 billion. All said, investors are hopeful of strong growth of the maturing startup ecosystem in the new year. Edtech and health tech segments that grew exponentially during the pandemic plunged into an abyss of financial uncertainties, with several firms shuttering their business, and valuation of prominent players like BYJU'S and PharmEasy plummeting 85-90 per cent.

Indian telcos surpass 3-year 5G rollout target in six months

Indian telcos surpass 3-year 5G rollout target in six months

Rediff.com1 Mar 2023

Indian telecom operators have surpassed the three- year 5G network rollout target given to them within six months and now the government is making efforts to enhance adoption of 5G applications across various key segments, a senior government official said in Barcelona. Department of Telecom Additional Secretary VL Kantha Rao told PTI at "India Evening" event on the sidelines of Mobile World Congress 2023 that the government has hosted over 50 companies at the India pavilion and the delegation is here to showcase indigenously-developed 4G and 5G technology stack. "When the spectrum was allocated to telecom service providers for 5G rollout, we gave a minimum rollout obligation saying that within one year they have to cover a few cities within three years, a few towns and so on and so forth.

Flipkart burns over $3.7 billion cash in about a year till Sep 2022

Flipkart burns over $3.7 billion cash in about a year till Sep 2022

Rediff.com10 Nov 2022

E-commerce major Flipkart has burnt cash of $3.7 billion (about Rs 30,000 crore) in about a year ending September 2022, according to regulatory filings. Flipkart had $1 billion in cash in July 2021, which came down to $887 million by September 2022. The company, in July 2021, raised $3.6 billion (about Rs 29,000 crore), which has been completely exhausted, according to regulatory filings of Flipkart and Walmart.

Govt to buy Vodafone Idea stake after share price stabilises at Rs 10 or above

Govt to buy Vodafone Idea stake after share price stabilises at Rs 10 or above

Rediff.com8 Sep 2022

The government will acquire a stake in debt-ridden Vodafone Idea after the stock price of the company stabilises at Rs 10 or above, according to an official source. Vodafone Idea (VIL) board has offered a stake to the government at a par value of Rs 10 per share. "There is a SEBI norm that the acquisition should take place at par value. DoT will clear the acquisition after VIL shares stabilise at Rs 10 or above," an official source told PTI. VIL shares are trading below Rs 10 since April 19.

Vedanta to invest up to $20 bn in chip business

Vedanta to invest up to $20 bn in chip business

Rediff.com18 Feb 2022

Indian conglomerate Vedanta has earmarked $15 billion for foray into the electronic chip and display manufacturing space, and plans to scale up the investment to as much as $20 billion, a senior company official said. Vedanta's group firm Avanstrate, which will spearhead the semiconductor business, expects to roll out electronic chips and displays from Indian manufacturing plants by 2025, the official of the group's semiconductor arm said on Friday. "Semiconductor is a long-term business. We are looking at about $10 billion on display.

SC panel monitoring Pegasus matter; report awaited: Govt source

SC panel monitoring Pegasus matter; report awaited: Govt source

Rediff.com29 Jan 2022

A government source on Saturday said that the matter related to Pegasus software is being monitored by a committee under the Supreme Court and its report is awaited.

Chinese nationals step down from Paytm board ahead of IPO

Chinese nationals step down from Paytm board ahead of IPO

Rediff.com7 Jul 2021

All Chinese nationals on the board of digital payments firm Paytm have been replaced by US and Indian citizens, while there is no change in existing shareholding, according to a regulatory filing of the company. Alipay representative Jing Xiandong, Ant Financial's Guoming Cheng, and Alibaba representatives Michael Yuen Jen Yao (US citizen) and Ting Hong Kenny Ho have ceased to be directors of the company, as per the regulatory document. According to a source, Paytm now has no Chinese national on its board.

RSS leader targets Tomar over farmers' stir against agri laws

RSS leader targets Tomar over farmers' stir against agri laws

Rediff.com6 Feb 2021

'Today arrogance of power has gone to your head. Why are you losing the mandate? We are endorsing all rotten policies of the Congress which is not in our interest. Leakage in drops of water from a pitcher empties it. So is with the mandate'

Cyber criminals leak personal data of 2.9 cr Indians on dark web

Cyber criminals leak personal data of 2.9 cr Indians on dark web

Rediff.com23 May 2020

The cyber intelligence firm said that the breach includes sensitive information such as email, phone, home address, qualification, work experience etc.

DoT gives telcos breathing space on AGR non-payment

DoT gives telcos breathing space on AGR non-payment

Rediff.com23 Jan 2020

Bharti Airtel and Vodafone Idea have communicated to the telecom department that they will not pay AGR dues of Rs 88,624 crore, the deadline for which ended on Thursday, and will wait for the outcome of modification petition listed for hearing before the Supreme Court next week, according to official sources. Reliance Jio on Thursday paid Rs 195 crore to the telecom department to clear all adjusted gross revenue dues accounted till January 31, 2020, according to an official source.

'Regulations in India against every telco except Jio'

'Regulations in India against every telco except Jio'

Rediff.com25 Feb 2019

'All three players in the market are haemorrhaging cash. Average consumer is consuming 12 gigabits (GB) at price points you don't see anywhere else.'

Coming soon: New Nokia 3310 for Rs 3500

Coming soon: New Nokia 3310 for Rs 3500

Rediff.com27 Feb 2017

"All the products that we have announced -- Nokia 3310, Nokia 6, Nokia 5 and Nokia 3 -- will be available in the second quarter of this year in India. Average global selling price for Nokia 3310 is 49 euros," HMD Global Oy Chief Marketing Officer Pekka Rantala said.

Facebook open to solar plane-based internet services in India

Facebook open to solar plane-based internet services in India

Rediff.com4 Mar 2015

Facebook is now attempting to make truce with telecom operators through its programme.

Mobile tariffs need to go up: Sunil Mittal

Mobile tariffs need to go up: Sunil Mittal

Rediff.com3 Mar 2015

Airtel has pitched for a hike in mobile and data tariffs.

BlackBerry unveils 4G smartphone Leap

BlackBerry unveils 4G smartphone Leap

Rediff.com3 Mar 2015

The device features a five-inch all-touch screen with BlackBerry 10.3.1 OS.

Airtel, China Mobile tie up for 5G, telecom equipment

Airtel, China Mobile tie up for 5G, telecom equipment

Rediff.com3 Mar 2015

This move gives Airtel and Chinese major immense benefits.

Samsung unveils Galaxy S6 to rival iPhone6

Samsung unveils Galaxy S6 to rival iPhone6

Rediff.com2 Mar 2015

The smartphones have 5.1-inch Quad HD Super AMOLED screen.