News for 'Department of Telecommunications'

Rs 54,000 cr digital fraud is 'dacoity', SC tells Centre to act

Rs 54,000 cr digital fraud is 'dacoity', SC tells Centre to act

Rediff.com9 Feb 2026

It said that when a retiree, who withdraws amounts in the range of Rs 10,000 or Rs 20,000, suddenly withdraws huge amounts, then the bank should issue an alert.

Rs 54,000 cr digital fraud is 'dacoity', SC tells Centre to act

Rs 54,000 cr digital fraud is 'dacoity', SC tells Centre to act

Rediff.com9 Feb 2026

The Supreme Court has expressed serious concerns about the rise in digital fraud, particularly digital arrest scams, and has directed the central government to develop a standard operating procedure to combat these crimes.

SC aks govt to protect, compensate vulnerable cyber victims

SC aks govt to protect, compensate vulnerable cyber victims

Rediff.com5 days ago

The Supreme Court has directed the government to raise awareness, compensate, and protect vulnerable individuals who have lost money in cyber scams. The court's remarks came while granting bail to an accused in a cybercrime case, emphasizing the need for public education and cybersecurity awareness.

Govt Plans Car-To-Car Alerts To Prevent Crashes

Govt Plans Car-To-Car Alerts To Prevent Crashes

Rediff.com9 Jan 2026

'We hope we will be able to at least end crashes that involve collisions with stationary vehicles as there will be an automatic warning.'

Govt makes active SIM link mandatory for messaging apps

Govt makes active SIM link mandatory for messaging apps

Rediff.com30 Nov 2025

The Indian government has directed app-based communication services like WhatsApp and Telegram to ensure continuous linkage to a user's active SIM card to combat cyber fraud. Non-compliance will result in penalties under the Telecommunications Act, 2023.

Red Fort blast accused communicate with Pak handlers via 'ghost' SIM cards

Red Fort blast accused communicate with Pak handlers via 'ghost' SIM cards

Rediff.com4 Jan 2026

The outcome of the investigations essentially formed the basis for the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) to issue a sweeping directive on November 28 last year, mandating that app-based communication services like WhatsApp, Telegram and Signal must be continuously linked to an active, physical SIM card within the device.

Retired soldier loses Rs 98 lakh during 15-day 'digital arrest'

Retired soldier loses Rs 98 lakh during 15-day 'digital arrest'

Rediff.com9 Jan 2026

A retired soldier of Bilaspur in Himachal Pradesh has been duped of Rs 98 lakh after being kept under 15 days 'digital arrest' by the fraudsters, officials said on Friday.

How India Is Rewriting Its FTA Playbook

How India Is Rewriting Its FTA Playbook

Rediff.com28 Jan 2026

India has been on an FTA-signing spree of late. Since 2021, it has signed eight trade agreements, three of which -- with the UK, Oman and New Zealand -- were finalised in 2025 alone.

Congress MP moves adjournment notice over Sanchar Saathi app

Congress MP moves adjournment notice over Sanchar Saathi app

Rediff.com2 Dec 2025

Congress MP Renuka Chowdhury has filed an adjournment motion in the Rajya Sabha to discuss the government's directive on pre-installation of the Sanchar Saathi App in new mobile handsets, citing privacy concerns.

Govt makes Sanchar Saathi app mandatory on all new handsets

Govt makes Sanchar Saathi app mandatory on all new handsets

Rediff.com1 Dec 2025

According to the direction dated November 28, all mobile phones that will be manufactured in India or imported after 90 days from the date of issuing of the order will need to have the app.

Cong calls mandatory Sanchar Saathi order 'unconstitutional'

Cong calls mandatory Sanchar Saathi order 'unconstitutional'

Rediff.com2 Dec 2025

The Congress party has strongly opposed the Department of Telecommunications' directive mandating the pre-installation of the Sanchar Saathi app on new mobile phones, citing constitutional concerns and privacy violations. The party demands an immediate rollback of the order.

Vi gets a decade to breathe easy on AGR dues; DoT to reassess liabilities

Vi gets a decade to breathe easy on AGR dues; DoT to reassess liabilities

Rediff.com10 Jan 2026

India's third-largest telecom operator Vodafone Idea (Vi) has secured a 10-year breather on adjusted gross revenue (AGR) payments from the Department of Telecommunications (DoT). This is expected to ease pressure on its balance sheet and enable the company to raise bank debt for capital expenditure.

Apple won't preload Sanchar Saathi app on iPhones: Report

Apple won't preload Sanchar Saathi app on iPhones: Report

Rediff.com2 Dec 2025

Apple does not plan to comply with the mandate to preload mobile handsets with the 'Sanchar Saathi' app and will convey its concerns before the Indian government, Reuters reported on Tuesday, citing three unnamed sources.

How trai plans to accelerate 4G and 5G rollouts

How trai plans to accelerate 4G and 5G rollouts

Rediff.com11 Dec 2025

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) said on Wednesday that instead of calculating charges for backhaul spectrum on a weighted-average formula based on the number of carriers a telco may have, a flat low rate should be applied.

Sanchar Saathi is a 'snooping app': Priyanka

Sanchar Saathi is a 'snooping app': Priyanka

Rediff.com2 Dec 2025

With the Department of Telecom asking mobile phone makers to pre-install Sanchar Saathi application in new handsets, Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Tuesday described it as a 'snooping app' and alleged that the government is turning the country into a dictatorship.

Will India continue to remain an attractive FDI destination in 2026?

Will India continue to remain an attractive FDI destination in 2026?

Rediff.com27 Dec 2025

FDI inflows into India are expected to register robust growth in 2026, supported by strong macroeconomic fundamentals, big-ticket investment announcements, sustained efforts to improve the ease of doing business, and a new generation of investment-linked trade pacts.

Decoding govt order on active SIM link for WhatsApp, other apps

Decoding govt order on active SIM link for WhatsApp, other apps

Rediff.com2 Dec 2025

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.

Airtel to call for Rs 15,741 cr tranche of rights issue

Airtel to call for Rs 15,741 cr tranche of rights issue

Rediff.com19 Dec 2025

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.

Centre probes GPS spoofing after alerts from 7 major airports

Centre probes GPS spoofing after alerts from 7 major airports

Rediff.com1 Dec 2025

The Indira Gandhi International Airport in the national capital is the country's busiest airport and RWY refers to runway.

Will 1600 Number Stop Scam Calls?

Will 1600 Number Stop Scam Calls?

Rediff.com20 Nov 2025

Trai has ordered BFSI firms to move service and transaction calls to the 1600 series from 2026 to reduce spam, financial fraud, and rising digital arrest scams.

'Government Is The Source Of Our Data Leakages'

'Government Is The Source Of Our Data Leakages'

Rediff.com4 Dec 2025

'Instead of the government and telecom operators solving the mess of their own creation, they're telling us we need to give access to our phones perpetually.'

Airtel to approach DoT on AGR in coming days: MD

Airtel to approach DoT on AGR in coming days: MD

Rediff.com5 Nov 2025

Telecom firm Bharti Airtel will approach the government on the adjusted gross revenue (AGR) it has to pay the exchequer following the Supreme Court's judgment that the government can reassess all AGR dues, according to vice-chairman and managing director Gopal Vittal.

How Your Grievances Can Be Fixed!

How Your Grievances Can Be Fixed!

Rediff.com14 Oct 2025

CPGRAMS -- an online platform available to citizens 24x7 to lodge their grievances to public authorities on service delivery -- has existed for close to two decades. But it has never been this active, points out Tamal Bandyopadhyay.

Hearing on Vi's plea over additional AGR demand deferred

Hearing on Vi's plea over additional AGR demand deferred

Rediff.com6 Oct 2025

The Supreme Court on Monday deferred to October 13 the hearing on a plea of telecom major Vodafone Idea Ltd seeking quashing of the additional adjusted gross revenue (AGR) demands for the period until 2016-17.

Delhi HC protects Abhishek Bachchan's personality rights

Delhi HC protects Abhishek Bachchan's personality rights

Rediff.com12 Sep 2025

The Delhi high court has protected the personality rights of Bollywood actor Abhishek Bachchan, restraining websites and online platforms from illegally using his name or images for commercial gain without his consent.

Sexually explicit content made: Abhishek moves HC over deepfakes

Sexually explicit content made: Abhishek moves HC over deepfakes

Rediff.com10 Sep 2025

The Delhi high court on Wednesday said it would pass order on Bollywood actor Abhishek Bachchan's plea seeking to protect his publicity and personality rights, and restrain websites and platforms from using his image, likeness, persona and fake videos, including sexually explicit material.

Musk's Starlink Can Only Target 2M Users

Musk's Starlink Can Only Target 2M Users

Rediff.com29 Jul 2025

... with a maximum speed of 200 megabits per second (mbps) across the country for Rs 3,000 per month.

Elon Musk's Starlink gets nod to offer satellite internet in India

Elon Musk's Starlink gets nod to offer satellite internet in India

Rediff.com9 Jul 2025

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.

After NISAR mission, ISRO to launch 6,500 kg US satellite

After NISAR mission, ISRO to launch 6,500 kg US satellite

Rediff.com10 Aug 2025

ISRO to launch a 6,500 kg communication satellite built by the US, marking a significant milestone in the Indian space program after the successful launch of the NASA-ISRO NISAR mission.

Mandi cloudburst toll rises to 14, search on for 31 missing

Mandi cloudburst toll rises to 14, search on for 31 missing

Rediff.com4 Jul 2025

The death toll from cloudburst and flash flood-related incidents in Mandi, Himachal Pradesh has risen to 14, with a search underway for 31 missing individuals. Extensive damage to homes, infrastructure, and livestock has been reported across the district.

Elon Musk's Starlink gets satcom nod for India

Elon Musk's Starlink gets satcom nod for India

Rediff.com6 Jun 2025

Elon Musk's Starlink has got licence for satcom services in India, according to sources.

BSNL not keen on selling tower assets as 4G, 5G rollout looms ahead

BSNL not keen on selling tower assets as 4G, 5G rollout looms ahead

Rediff.com22 Apr 2025

With a major network rollout on the cards, the government is not keen to change the pattern of tower monetisation for Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd (BSNL), officials at the state-owned telecom-service provider said. The monetisation target in the telecom sector had to be revised owing to a change in BSNL's approach to mobile-phone tower monetisation, which had shifted from a sale-based model to a lease-based one.

Govt, UPI To Set Up Real-Time Payment Tripwire

Govt, UPI To Set Up Real-Time Payment Tripwire

Rediff.com4 Jul 2025

Google Pay, PhonePe, and Paytm may deliberately delay transactions, issue fraud alerts, and require an extra layer of user confirmation before processing any transactions that are likely to be classified as fraudulent.

Bharti Space to invest $36 million in French satellite major Eutelsat

Bharti Space to invest $36 million in French satellite major Eutelsat

Rediff.com21 Jun 2025

As part of a plan to refinance debt and expand its upcoming constellation of satellites, French satellite major Eutelsat Communications will raise euro 1.35 billion, or $1.55 billion, through a reserved capital increase and a rights issue, the company announced on Friday. Bharti Enterprises' space venture, Bharti Space Ltd, will invest euro 31.4 million, or $36 million, in the capital raise.

Vi partners SpaceX-rival AST SpaceMobile for satcom service on smartphones

Vi partners SpaceX-rival AST SpaceMobile for satcom service on smartphones

Rediff.com18 Jun 2025

Vi partners SpaceX-rival AST SpaceMobile for satcom service on smartphones

HC passes order protecting Jaggi Vasudev's personality rights

HC passes order protecting Jaggi Vasudev's personality rights

Rediff.com1 Jun 2025

It said Sadhguru has acquired uniqueness pertaining to his personality qua his voice, name, signature, image, likeness, vocal, articulation style and his unique attire, looks or appearance.

Rs 23K crore electronics PLI scheme set to be rolled out in 3 weeks

Rs 23K crore electronics PLI scheme set to be rolled out in 3 weeks

Rediff.com9 Apr 2025

The government on Tuesday notified the Rs 22,919 crore scheme to promote domestic manufacturing of electronics components, display and camera modules, non-surface mount devices, multi-layer printed circuit boards and lithium-ion cells for digital applications, among others. The scheme is likely to be operationalised in the next 2-3 weeks.

US slams India's telecom, electronics testing norms, standards

US slams India's telecom, electronics testing norms, standards

Rediff.com4 Apr 2025

The US wants India to recognise internationally accredited labs, harmonise labelling requirements and the validity period of test reports and certification with global practices, and eliminate retesting requirements.

Can Airtel convert AGR dues into govt equity?

Can Airtel convert AGR dues into govt equity?

Rediff.com15 May 2025

Bharti Airtel vice-chairman & managing director Gopal Vittal on Wednesday said while a call on exercising the option of converting pending spectrum dues into government equity would be taken by its board, the company had reached out to the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) to confirm whether it could do so. "On the adjusted gross revenue (AGR) conversion, it was simple.

India's next big business op: Hub for undersea cables?

India's next big business op: Hub for undersea cables?

Rediff.com2 Apr 2025

While India has become the largest data generating nation, and hosts more than 152 data centres, it is fed by only 18 undersea cables.