News for 'telecom industry'

Low profile, yet outspoken, Trai's Vaghela knows how to take tough calls

Low profile, yet outspoken, Trai's Vaghela knows how to take tough calls

Rediff.com8 Oct 2020

Vagela could not have reached this position if Narendra Modi, who'd known him from his chief minister days, had not backed the choice.

One week, Rs 1.47 lakh cr dues: What will telcos do?

One week, Rs 1.47 lakh cr dues: What will telcos do?

Rediff.com17 Jan 2020

Following the October 24 Supreme Court order, the department of telecom estimated that the total liability of 15 telecom companies, including penalties and interest, would be Rs 1.47 lakh crore.

Manufacturers now stare at labour shortage

Manufacturers now stare at labour shortage

Rediff.com8 Apr 2020

The auto ancillary industry - one of the worst hit due to the labour exodus - will need at least three months to get its factories up and running.

New hiring at RIL starts tapering; staff count declines

New hiring at RIL starts tapering; staff count declines

Rediff.com23 Sep 2020

Experts attribute this trend to a combination of end of capital expenditure cycle, increased automation, RIL's preference for time-bound labour contracts, and telecom and retail's outsourced human resource model.

IT cos' revenue growth to slide sharply in FY23

IT cos' revenue growth to slide sharply in FY23

Rediff.com7 Jul 2022

The information technology services sector will see a sharp fall in revenue growth to 12-13 per cent in FY23 from 19 per cent in FY22, ratings agency Crisil said on Thursday. However, the current depreciation in the rupee, strong demand for new age technologies like artificial intelligence, cloud computing and Internet of Things will help the over $220-billion sector maintain a double digit growth, it said in a report. The moderation from 19 per cent to 12-13 per cent will be the highest in the last eight years, it said and attributed the decline to expected tightening of IT expenditure by corporates amid the inflationary headwinds in the United States and European Union (EU), which together contribute almost 85 per cent to the sector's revenue.

Ambani says will provide tech for COVID-19 vaccination drive

Ambani says will provide tech for COVID-19 vaccination drive

Rediff.com15 Dec 2020

As India gets ready to roll out one of the largest vaccine programmes, billionaire Mukesh Ambani on Tuesday said his group is working with authorities to provide technology tools and backbone for mass inoculation against COVID-19. Ambani's telecom venture Jio was rolled out four years back, offering free voice calling and dirt-cheap data. Today, Jio is India's largest telecom operator with over 400 million users, each connected to the internet. At a Facebook event, Ambani said the government's digital push kept the country running even during the pandemic and is now helping in the rollout of one of the largest vaccination programmes.

Telecos vie for more space in Indian Space Association

Telecos vie for more space in Indian Space Association

Rediff.com20 Oct 2021

Indian Space Association (ISpA) chairman Jayant Patil has said that the executive council will debate whether it can include more telecom companies as founding members. The response came after some leading telcos said that they had been asked to be core members but preferred to be inducted as founding members. The key founders of the ISpA include the Bharti group through two companies (OneWeb and Airtel), L&T, Nelco, Walchandnagar, Alpha Designs and MapmyIndia.

Reliance to invest in Abu Dhabi petrochemical hub

Reliance to invest in Abu Dhabi petrochemical hub

Rediff.com29 Jun 2021

Billionaire Mukesh Ambani's Reliance Industries has signed a pact to invest an undisclosed amount in a giant petrochemical hub being built in the UAE. The oil-to-telecom conglomerate will join the recently-formed Ta'ziz joint venture of Abu Dhabi state energy giant Adnoc and state holding company ADQ for developing the Ruwais Derivatives Park in western Abu Dhabi. A company statement said an agreement has been signed for Reliance to invest in the project but did not give details. Unconfirmed reports put the investment at about $1.5 billion.

Airtel, HUL, RIL lift Sensex by 273 points

Airtel, HUL, RIL lift Sensex by 273 points

Rediff.com1 Sep 2020

While Bajaj Finance, Asian Paints, Tata Steel, NTPC and SBI were among the other gainers, ONGC, Axis Bank, Tech Mahindra, Infosys and ICICI Bank were among the laggards. NSE Nifty advanced 82.75 points or 0.73 per cent to settle at 11,470.25.

'Market is pricing rate hike up to December'

'Market is pricing rate hike up to December'

Rediff.com13 Jun 2022

'There will be a series of rate hikes, but the pace and quantum will depend on how the economy in the US and the rest of the world behave.'

Challenges Chip Projects like Vedanta-Foxconn Face

Challenges Chip Projects like Vedanta-Foxconn Face

Rediff.com19 Sep 2022

Indian plants -- who plan to begin production with 28 nano metre chips -- will take two to four years to get off the ground. By that time, in the fast changing world of chip making, the global market would have shifted to 22 nm.

Voda Idea to pay AGR dues, but may not be able to go on

Voda Idea to pay AGR dues, but may not be able to go on

Rediff.com16 Feb 2020

Vodafone Idea, which reported a loss of Rs 6,439 crore in the December quarter, said it had received letters from the department of telecommunications (DoT) directing immediate payment of dues amounting to Rs 54,000 crores after the SC judgment. "The company is currently assessing the amount that it will be able to pay to DoT towards the dues calculated based on AGR, as interpreted by the Supreme Court in its order dated October 24, 2019. The company proposes to pay the amount so assessed in the next few days," it stated.

Fitch upgrades RIL a notch above India's sovereign rating

Fitch upgrades RIL a notch above India's sovereign rating

Rediff.com24 Jun 2021

Fitch Ratings has upgraded Reliance Industries Ltd's (RIL) rating to 'BBB', one notch above India's sovereign rating, as the company benefits from cash flow generation across diversified business segments and continuation of deleveraging. In a statement, Fitch said it has upgraded RIL's long-term foreign-currency issuer default rating (IDR) to 'BBB', from 'BBB-', with a negative outlook. At the same time, the agency has affirmed RIL's long-term local-currency IDR at 'BBB+' with a stable outlook.

From boom to doom: Story of India's telecom sector

From boom to doom: Story of India's telecom sector

Rediff.com17 Sep 2012

The new story is the exact opposite of this history, and tells of slowing growth, falling profits, and negative returns on shares.

Is Reliance Jio's 5G plan realistic?

Is Reliance Jio's 5G plan realistic?

Rediff.com23 Dec 2020

Surajeet Das Gupta explains why Mukesh Ambani's target is by no means impossible.

Eveready hopes to ride the anti-China wave

Eveready hopes to ride the anti-China wave

Rediff.com23 Jun 2020

50 per cent of the flashlights market in the country is dominated by Chinese imports, which have been increasing.

Investors' wealth jumps Rs 2.93 lakh cr as markets rally

Investors' wealth jumps Rs 2.93 lakh cr as markets rally

Rediff.com22 Jul 2021

Investors' wealth jumped Rs 2,93,054.25 crore on Thursday as markets returned to winning ways after falling for three straight sessions. The 30-share BSE benchmark Sensex zoomed 638.70 points or 1.22 per cent to close at 52,837.21. During the day, it gained 668.75 points to 52,867.26. Tracking the bullish trend, the market capitalisation of BSE-listed companies jumped Rs 2,93,054.25 crore to reach Rs 2,33,94,917.25 crore.

90% chipmakers have design footprint in India: Intel

90% chipmakers have design footprint in India: Intel

Rediff.com16 Nov 2021

As many as 2,000 chips are annually designed in India by semi-conductor and fabless companies, Intel India managing director Prakash Mallya said in a conversation with Business Standard. Mallya was reiterating the importance of India in the semi-conductor sweepstakes. "As much as 90 per cent of the semi-conductor companies have a design footprint in India.

BSNL told to stay 4G tender for Rs 90000 cr over allegations

BSNL told to stay 4G tender for Rs 90000 cr over allegations

Rediff.com5 May 2020

The department for promotion of industry and internal trade has asked the telecom department and State-owned BSNL to put on hold the tender for setting up 4G network, valued at Rs 9,000 crore, after allegations emerged that the tender favoured foreign companies. The tender was floated by BSNL in March under the new management for setting up the 4G network.

India will be among top 3 economies in 2 decades: Ambani

India will be among top 3 economies in 2 decades: Ambani

Rediff.com15 Dec 2020

Richest Indian Mukesh Ambani on Tuesday said India will grow to be among the top three economies in the world in the next two decades and per capita income would more than double. At a fireside chat with Facebook head Mark Zuckerberg, he said India's middle-class, which is about 50 per cent of the nation's total number of households, will grow three to four per cent per year.

Reliance Retail raises another Rs 5,512.5 crore

Reliance Retail raises another Rs 5,512.5 crore

Rediff.com6 Oct 2020

Reliance Retail Ventures Ltd, run by India's richest man Mukesh Ambani, on Tuesday raised Rs 5,512.50 crore from Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA), taking the total fundraise to Rs 37,710 crore in less than four weeks.

Reliance buys New York's premium luxury hotel Mandarin Oriental for $98.15 mn

Reliance buys New York's premium luxury hotel Mandarin Oriental for $98.15 mn

Rediff.com9 Jan 2022

Mandarin Oriental New York, the premium luxury hotel a subsidiary of Reliance Industries is acquiring, is known for its much-in-demand ballroom, five-star spa and eating and drinking venues, including MO Lounge. Liam Neeson and Lucy Liu are among regular guests. Set up in 2003, 248-rooms-and-suites hotel towering over Central Park is an iconic luxury hotel located at 80 Columbus Circle, directly adjacent to the pristine Central Park and Columbus Circle.

The Ambani Brothers: What Happens Next

The Ambani Brothers: What Happens Next

Rediff.com12 Jan 2018

'While investors in Reliance have had to play a game of patience for long stretches, for Anil the challenge is to do what used to be his brother's forte -- generating cash by putting assets in the ground and making things,' says T N Ninan.

RIL strikes 5th deal, sells 2.32% in Jio Platforms to KKR

RIL strikes 5th deal, sells 2.32% in Jio Platforms to KKR

Rediff.com22 May 2020

Diverse marquee investors are becoming long-term shareholders of Jio Platforms because of a unique set of technologies and platforms under one entity.

Govt gives Rs 42,000 crore relief to telcos

Govt gives Rs 42,000 crore relief to telcos

Rediff.com21 Nov 2019

The Cabinet approved giving Bharti Airtel, Vodafone Idea Ltd and Reliance Jio an option to avail of a two-year moratorium on payments they were supposed to make in yearly installments for the spectrum bought in auctions.

Vedanta arm is paying almost nothing for Videocon group: NCLT

Vedanta arm is paying almost nothing for Videocon group: NCLT

Rediff.com16 Jun 2021

The National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) has approved the resolution plan of Twin Star Technologies -- a promoter entity of the Vedanta Resources group -- for the Videocon group. But it has pointed out that the successful resolution applicant is "paying almost nothing" as the amount offered is only 4.15 per cent of total outstanding claim. It noted the hair cut for all the creditors is 95.85 per cent and suggested to both committee of creditors (CoC) and the successful applicant an increase in the payout.

Vodafone says future in India 'could be in doubt'

Vodafone says future in India 'could be in doubt'

Rediff.com12 Nov 2019

Vodafone's operating loss from India business jumped to 692 million euros in April-September from 133 million euros in the same period last year.

No cut in spectrum price as govt okays airwave auction

No cut in spectrum price as govt okays airwave auction

Rediff.com21 Dec 2019

Although the industry is disappointed with the government decision not to lower spectrum prices at a time telcos are saddled with over Rs 4-trillion debt and an estimated Rs 1.43-trillion licence fee dues, the DCC has relaxed the payment structure to offer some relief to the financially stressed sector.

Reliance sets its drone biz plan in motion

Reliance sets its drone biz plan in motion

Rediff.com18 Feb 2022

Reliance Industries has put together an aggressive plan to build its drone business which includes expanding manufacturing capacity five-fold, participating in the new drone production linked incentive scheme, and experimenting with limited logistics payloads to deliver goods. The target is to become a key player in the expected $5 billion market in India by the end of the decade. The drone business is being carried out through a Bangalore-based start up, Asteria Aerospace, in which Reliance has taken a majority stake. Asteria is a subsidiary of Jio Platforms Ltd.

Modi sees India's manufacturing output to grow by $520 bn in 5 yrs

Modi sees India's manufacturing output to grow by $520 bn in 5 yrs

Rediff.com5 Mar 2021

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said production linked incentive (PLI) scheme, which is aimed at boosting domestic manufacturing and exports, is expected to increase the country's production by $520 billion in the next five years. Addressing a webinar on PLI scheme, organised by Department of Industry and International Trade (DPIIT) and NITI Aayog, through video conference, Modi said the government is continuously carrying out reforms to boost domestic manufacturing. In this year's Budget, about Rs 2 lakh crore was earmarked for the PLI scheme for the next five years and "there is an expectation that the scheme would result in increasing the production by about $520 billion in the next five years", he said. He added that there is also an expectation that the current workforce in the sectors, which will avail the benefits of the PLI scheme, will be doubled and job creation will also increase.

Viom Networks to raise Rs 1,500 cr, may list on London Stock Exchange

Viom Networks to raise Rs 1,500 cr, may list on London Stock Exchange

Rediff.com24 Feb 2014

Viom Networks is planning to raise arouns Rs 1500 crore (Rs 15 billion) and is likely to list its shares on the London Stock Exchange (LSE), say sources.

Huge difference between pre- and post-2014 India, Modi tells diaspora in Bali

Huge difference between pre- and post-2014 India, Modi tells diaspora in Bali

Rediff.com15 Nov 2022

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday asserted that there is a "huge difference" between pre- and post-2014 India, saying the country is now moving ahead at an "unprecedented speed and scale" as he showcased the achievements of his term in power to the Indian diaspora in Indonesia.

COAI slams Trai's new draft rules on pesky calls and messages

COAI slams Trai's new draft rules on pesky calls and messages

Rediff.com18 Jul 2018

The new proposals will lead to complex processes and huge costs for telecom service providers, without any substantial benefits: COAI

Reliance bounces back by 6 pc, Sensex up by 454 pts

Reliance bounces back by 6 pc, Sensex up by 454 pts

Rediff.com25 Nov 2021

Equity benchmark Sensex rebounded 454 points on Thursday, boosted by gains in index heavyweight Reliance Industries amid a positive trend in global markets.

'5G is a long haul'

'5G is a long haul'

Rediff.com16 Jun 2022

'We showcased about 20 use cases in 5G trials in Pune and Gandhinagar and some of them were interesting and innovative.' 'However, which ones will take off and which ones would not be relevant, we don't know yet.'

Bidding for spectrum auction to start from March 1

Bidding for spectrum auction to start from March 1

Rediff.com6 Jan 2021

Bidding for the sixth round of spectrum auction for radiowaves worth Rs 3.92 lakh crore will start from March 1, according to a notice issued by the Department of Telecom on Wednesday. The long-awaited spectrum auction is being held after a gap of four years and over two years after the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) calculated and recommended base price for the radiowaves. The DoT has fixed January 12 for the pre-bid conference and January 28 as the last date for seeking clarification to the notice.

Covid-19 impact: Six of the top 10 family-owned businesses in the red

Covid-19 impact: Six of the top 10 family-owned businesses in the red

Rediff.com13 Jul 2020

Together, the top 10 business groups reported a pre-tax loss of Rs 19,342 crore during the January-March 2020 quarter, as against a profit before tax of around Rs 48,500 crore in the year-ago period and Rs 39,600 crore during the December quarter. While Vedanta was the worst hit. others included Aditya Birla, Bharti, Adani, Mahindra, and Tata.

Govt takes Rs 12,489 cr hit as telcos understate revenue: CAG

Govt takes Rs 12,489 cr hit as telcos understate revenue: CAG

Rediff.com11 Mar 2016

The government has suffered a loss of Rs 12,488.93 crore (Rs 124.88 billion) due to under-invoicing of gross revenue by six telecom companies including Reliance Communications, Vodafone and Bharti Airtel, the CAG said in a damning report on Friday.

Mukesh Ambani pitches for subsidised smatphones

Mukesh Ambani pitches for subsidised smatphones

Rediff.com8 Dec 2021

Billionaire Mukesh Ambani on Wednesday pitched for using the USO Fund to subsidise smartphones for select groups to help penetrate the digital revolution and said India should make the rollout of 5G or the fifth-generation technology standard for broadband cellular networks a national priority. As much as 5 per cent of the licence fee paid by telecom operators goes to the Universal Service Obligation (USO) Fund, which was set up in April 2002 for achieving universal service objectives by providing access to telephone services in rural and remote areas and creation of infrastructure for mobile services and broadband in these areas. However, according to the CAG, less than half of the funds so collected are transferred for the said purpose.

Tata Tele-Bharti Airtel deal was done in 5 days

Tata Tele-Bharti Airtel deal was done in 5 days

Rediff.com13 Oct 2017

The deal between Bharti group and Tata Teleservices is yet another example of how swiftly things can change in business.