Latest data collated by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) showed Jio added 3.9 million mobile users in July while Airtel reported 1.51 million additions, partly weighed down by sharp tariff hikes taken in its base prepaid rates. Cash-strapped Vi lost 1.32 million customers, shrinking its mobile user base to 228.33 million as of end-July.

Reliance Jio gained significantly more mobile users than Bharti Airtel in July 2023, potentially due to capturing customers from Vodafone Idea and stronger growth in rural areas. According to data from the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India, Jio added 3.9 million users, Airtel added 1.51 million, and Vodafone Idea lost 1.32 million. Jio's user base reached 442.48 million, Airtel's reached 375.24 million, and Vi's fell to 228.33 million.

This, they feel, can permanently address aircraft and passenger safety concerns around the issue of 5G near airports, and help break the logjam over the rollout of next-gen mobile broadband networks near airports. The RA is a key device that provides vital altitude information to flight crew and on-board aircraft systems during landings.

The 6 GHz spectrum band has been a bone of contention between the India telcos Reliance Jio, Bharti Airtel and Vodafone Idea on one side and tech giants like Amazon and Meta on the other. While the telcos want the spectrum band to be auctioned, or allocated through the licensed route, the tech lobby has called for it to be sanctioned under the unlicensed route, or allotted without auctions.

As long as the stock holds above this crucial support, a bounce back towards 980-1000 levels is possible, suggest experts.

Airtel, Jio and Vi have asked the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) to allow them to charge startups a "network usage fee" based on traffic and/or the number of users. The startups are against this proposal.

Singh stated that the government has resolved to continue the functioning of the cabinet sub-committee which was formed with Minister Letpao Haokip as the chairmen to check and identify illegal immigrants coming from outside, with an objective to protect and safeguard the future generation of the indigenous people.

There was a huge protest demanding their release. After their arrest there was a 48-hour bandh followed by mass court arrest. Protestors claimed that those arrested were village defence volunteers. All the accused persons are released on bail on their furnishing a PR bond of Rs 50,000 with one surety of like amount with certain conditions.

The growing focus of automakers on connected vehicles is expected to drive demand for embedded SIMs (e-SIMs) by as much as 3 million units in the next 12-18 months. This increase in demand for e-SIMs is anticipated to boost enterprise business for telecom operators. Experts also predict that the adoption of e-SIMs in automobiles will quadruple the demand for semiconductor chips by 2025.

Senior executives at the top carriers said that bank guarantees (BGs) serve no purpose and block a lot of capital, which can otherwise be used for network infrastructure, especially with 5G rollouts well on their way. As per estimates, around Rs 2,600 crore worth of BGs are lying with the government currently.

According to analysts, Reliance Jio's 5G-based fixed wireless access (FWA) service, Jio AirFiber, could generate annual revenues of $4 billion to $9 billion if it sees wide acceptance among 50 to 100 million homes. Jio has ambitious plans to connect 200 million homes with its FWA service, which uses airwaves instead of cables to provide fixed broadband access. India's low wireline broadband penetration presents a significant revenue growth opportunity for telcos via 5G-based FWA services.

Reliance Jio has launched Jio AirFiber, a wireless broadband service that promises high-speed internet, home entertainment, and smart home services. The service aims to provide last-mile connectivity in India, utilizing Jio's extensive optical fiber network. Unlike Jio Fiber, which requires installation and additional equipment, Jio AirFiber offers wireless connectivity and speeds up to 1Gbps.

"Our extensive fiber-to-the-home service JioFiber, already serves over 10 million customers...With JioAirFiber, we are expanding our addressable market to rapidly cover every home in our country with similar quality of service," Akash Ambani, chairman of Reliance Jio, said in a statement.

Reliance Industries, led by Mukesh Ambani, announced plans to launch Jio AirFiber, a wireless home Wi-Fi service, on September 19. The service aims to provide last-mile connectivity to many parts of India and is expected to have lower pricing compared to existing options. Jio AirFiber will expand Reliance Jio's potential customer base to over 200 million high-paying homes and premises within three years.

India is planning to impose customs duties on telecom components in a phased manner to discourage imports and promote domestic manufacturing. The Department of Telecommunications is considering an initial 10% import duty from January, increasing to 15% by October next year. The move is part of the government's Phased Manufacturing Programme, which aims to boost local production and value addition in the telecom sector.

The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) is examining a proposal to impose an initial 10% import duty from January and raise it further to 15% by October next year on packaging items, antennae, WiFi switches, plastic/metal housing items, wires/cables, USB ports/connectors, power adaptors and other electrical/mechanical items, among telecom components, said officials aware of the matter.