India's total telephone subscriber base reached 1,321.31 million by the end of February 2026, marking a 0.56 per cent monthly growth, primarily fuelled by a significant surge in broadband adoption.
Jio Platforms managing director Akash Ambani announced plans for Jio to develop a sovereign Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite constellation and partner with global providers to extend connectivity to remote areas of India, aiming to strengthen India's self-reliance in space.
Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan announced that all high schools in India will have broadband internet connection within the next 2-3 years, with a focus on integrating Artificial Intelligence (AI) into education.
Shares of Reliance Industries climbed nearly 3 per cent after its digital unit, Jio Platforms, filed draft papers for what could become India's largest-ever initial public offering, with the offering potentially raising around Rs 37,700 crore (USD 4 billion).
Jio Platforms Ltd, the digital and telecommunications arm of Reliance Industries, has received board approval to file draft papers for an initial public offering (IPO) involving a fresh issue of up to 27 crore equity shares. The draft red herring prospectus (DRHP) is expected to be filed with SEBI today, marking a significant value-creation event for Reliance shareholders.
Mukesh Ambani, Chairman of Reliance Industries, has called upon India's engineering talent to spearhead Jio's ambitious artificial intelligence initiative. He emphasized India's role as a creator and global leader in AI, not just a consumer, outlining the execution phase of Reliance Intelligence with partnerships and a focus on developing affordable, language-fluent AI for all Indians.
Jio Platforms Ltd, the digital and telecommunications arm of Reliance Industries, has approved filing draft papers for an initial public offering (IPO) involving a fresh issue of up to 27 crore equity shares, aiming to unlock value for shareholders and fuel its ambitious expansion into 5G, AI, and global markets.
Elon Musk's Starlink is in "active and productive discussions" with the Indian government, awaiting final regulatory clearance, including spectrum allocation, to launch its satellite internet services, despite media reports suggesting a freeze on approvals.
Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin experienced a major setback as its New Glenn rocket exploded during an engine-firing test at a launch pad in Florida, raising concerns about its ability to compete with SpaceX in the commercial space race.
The Enforcement Directorate has attached a bungalow belonging to former Kolkata Police deputy commissioner Santanu Sinha Biswas in connection with a land grab and fraud case. The ED also conducted searches at multiple locations, recovering gold, cash, and property documents.
Sterlite Technologies plans to invest up to USD 100 million in the US to strengthen its manufacturing capacity for AI data centres and telecom customers.
The Manipur government has suspended internet services in five valley districts following a bomb attack that killed two children and injured their mother in Bishnupur district. The incident triggered protests, leading to the suspension of internet services to prevent the spread of misinformation.
The Indian government has extended the deadline for implementing SIM-binding rules for mobile messaging apps like WhatsApp and Telegram to December 31, following requests from the industry. The Department of Telecom has also relaxed the mandatory six-hour log-out rule for web versions of these apps.
Despite recent share price dips, Bharti Airtel is strategically positioned for growth, driven by investments in data centres via Nxtra, a potential tariff hike, and strong performance in Africa, alongside efforts to deleverage and expand its subscriber base in underpenetrated rural markets.
India has launched its first integrated phygital service centre in Umri village, Madhya Pradesh, aiming to provide online services and boost rural development through digital connectivity and various essential services.
If the stories are food for the mind then our digestive system has changed. If they are a piece of art, our gaze has altered. This calls for a change not in stories, but in the grammar of storytelling so that it can cut through the deluge and gluttony and force people to savour, appreciate and re-visit it. That is what the creators of Taskaree or Dhurandhar are trying, points out Vanita Kohli-Khandekar.
'On national security issues, there can be no compromise.'
Following an alleged assault, fresh violence erupted in Manipur's Ukhrul district, resulting in arson and prompting the suspension of internet services. Tensions remain high as security forces work to restore order.
The situation in Kokrajhar escalated late on January 19 after a Scorpio vehicle carrying three Bodo individuals hit two Adivasi persons at Mansingh Road under the Karigaon police outpost.
Fresh clashes between Bodos and Adivasis erupt in Assam's Kokrajhar, leading to the deployment of the Rapid Action Force, suspension of internet services, and imposition of prohibitory orders.
The missive has, however, polarised stakeholders, with mobile operators under COAI coming out in its support, while digital platforms under the aegis of Broadband India Forum expressing "serious concerns" around overreach and calling for a pause in implementation of timelines.
Weighing 6,100 kg, the communication satellite would be the heaviest payload to be placed into the Low Earth Orbit (LEO) in LVM3 launch history from Indian soil.
India's second-largest telecom service provider Bharti Airtel will call in March 2026 the final tranche of about Rs 15,741 crore from its 2021 rights issue of Rs 21,000 crore, proceeds from which will be used towards retiring majority of non-government-related debt.
ICICI Securities expects Jio Platforms' ensuing IPO to fetch "premium valuations", as was the case in the high-profile equity raise of FY21, and has pegged the company's equity value at $148 billion by September 2027.
Reliance Industries Ltd (RIL) on Friday reported a 9.6 per cent year-on-year rise in net profit for the September quarter, driven by strong performance in its consumer-facing retail and telecom businesses and a recovery in its core oil-to-chemicals segment.
Security has been increased across four districts in Uttar Pradesh's Bareilly division for Dussehra, with internet services suspended in Bareilly district for 48 hours to prevent the spread of rumors and maintain public order.
The share of services in gross value added (GVA) in 2023-24 was the highest in Chandigarh (88.8 per cent), followed by Delhi (84.1 per cent), said a NITI Aayog report released recently.
The stock of Bharti Airtel, India's largest listed telecommunications (telecom) services provider, recently hit an all-time high on expectations of higher average revenue per user (Arpu), a stable market setup, and fresh revenue lines.
Jio Platforms Limited is likely to have a valuation of $148 billion by the time it goes public on the back of strong free cash flow and potential deleveraging, ICICI Securities said.
'The South today is a creative engine shaping the future of Indian entertainment.'
Police on Monday detained a close associate of cleric and Ittehad-e-Millat Council chief Tauqeer Raza Khan in connection with the recent violence in Bareilly during a protest in support of the 'I Love Muhammad' campaign, officials said.
An agitated mob attacked a convoy carrying the accused in cultural icon Zubeen Garg's death case in Assam, leading to violence, property damage, and internet shutdowns.
'My job is to provide people with a bouquet of options they can choose from.'
Dalal Street is buzzing with excitement, as some of the most-awaited IPOs are gearing up to hit the market. While some of these big companies are planning to join the stock exchanges towards the end of 2025, others are likely to be available for trading by the first half of 2026.
India's space regulator INSPACe has granted a license to Starlink to offer space-based internet services in the country. The authorization is valid for five years and subject to regulatory provisions and clearances.
Vodafone Idea's (Vi's) subscriber loss reduced to a seven-month low in March, and alongside the company added 1.1 million broadband users after two months of net loss -- two things analysts have noted as key trends that need to be monitored. While Vi has been losing customers for more than two and a half years now, the churn reduced to below a million after five straight months in March, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) data has shown. "Jio's softer than usual subscriber growth in March, and VIL's slowing subscriber market share loss are key trends to keep an eye on going forward," global investment banking and financial services major UBS said in an analyst note.
The government has issued Letter of Intent to Starlink for satcom services, sources said on Wednesday. Starlink is a satellite internet service developed by SpaceX -- the American aerospace manufacturer and space transportation company founded in 2002 by world's richest man Elon Musk.
The Manipur government on Tuesday lifted the suspension on broadband internet conditionally in a 'liberalised manner', nearly three months after it was banned due to the ethnic violence in the state.
Vi partners SpaceX-rival AST SpaceMobile for satcom service on smartphones
Elon Musk's Starlink has got licence for satcom services in India, according to sources.
