Airtel

COAI defends India mobile tariff hike amid OTT traffic

COAI defends India mobile tariff hike amid OTT traffic

India’s mobile industry lobby is pushing for tariff corrections as network spending rises faster than service revenues. The Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI) says operators face a growing mismatch between capital outlays and tariff-led returns. By its estimate, the cumulative gap up to 2024 was already around Rs 10,000 crore and is widening in 2025 as data consumption accelerates. COAI argues that a handful of large traffic generators (LTGs) are responsible for most network load without directly contributing to network build costs. Expect a mix of tariff rationalization, plan redesign, and targeted capex as operators chase sustainable returns.

India Mobile Congress 2025: Telecom GDP to 20% by 2037

India Mobile Congress 2025: Telecom GDP to 20% by 2037
India Mobile Congress 2025 in New Delhi framed a clear ambition: scale domestic innovation, shape 6G, and turn telecom into a larger engine of GDP growth. Leaders underscored a whole-of-government approach, with multiple ministries backing IMC and the Department of Telecommunications and the Cellular Operators Association of India co-hosting. India’s telecom and digital sector is estimated to contribute roughly 12–14% to GDP today. Leaders at IMC projected this could reach about 20% by the mid-2030s if India scales advanced connectivity, software-led services, and domestic manufacturing. India’s 6G push was tied to a potential GDP uplift exceeding a trillion dollars by 2035.

T-Mobile Names Srini Gopalan CEO to Drive 5G and AI

T-Mobile Names Srini Gopalan CEO to Drive 5G and AI
T-Mobile has set a clear handover plan that pairs continuity with a sharpened focus on digital, AI, and new growth vectors. Srini Gopalan, currently Chief Operating Officer, will become CEO of T-Mobile US, succeeding Mike Sievert. Sievert moves to a newly created Vice Chairman role, remaining on the management team and Board to advise on strategy, innovation, talent, and external relations. The structure signals operational continuity and a deliberate next phase for the Un-carrier playbook across wireless, broadband, and adjacent services. Expect Gopalan to intensify investments in AI across care, sales, and network operations.

Jio 2026 IPO: Impact on 5G, Capex, ARPU, and India’s Digital Market

Jio 2026 IPO: Impact on 5G, Capex, ARPU, and India’s Digital Market
Reliance Jio’s 2026 IPO could be India’s largest public listing, with a projected valuation between ₹10–12 lakh crore. As Jio Platforms prepares to float 2.5–5% equity, the move could reshape 5G pricing, digital infrastructure investments, and ARPU strategies across the telecom stack. With cloud, AI, and enterprise services gaining traction, Jio’s IPO positions it as a multi-product digital powerhouse. Airtel and Vodafone Idea may face intensified competition as capital deployment and service bundling accelerate.

TRAI says 70-80% of India’s Mobile Data Usage Happens Indoors

TRAI says 70-80% of India’s Mobile Data Usage Happens Indoors
India’s telecom usage is now predominantly indoors, and TRAI’s new property rating framework puts digital connectivity on par with core utilities. TRAI’s chairperson flagged a decisive shift: most mobile data is consumed inside homes, offices, malls, hospitals, and transit hubs. Connectivity inside buildings is moving from convenience to necessity. TRAI’s 2024 Regulations introduce a voluntary, performance-based star rating that assesses how ready a property is to deliver high-quality broadband and mobile connectivity. The framework encourages developers to embed Digital Connectivity Infrastructure (DCI) at design stage, aligns with Digital India and Smart Cities Mission, and invites ministries and agencies to incorporate DCI into guidelines, tenders, and training.

Airtel Congo & Wing Wah Launch First Private Oilfield Network in Congo-Brazzaville

Airtel Congo & Wing Wah Launch First Private Oilfield Network in Congo-Brazzaville
Airtel Congo and Wing Wah have launched Congo-Brazzaville’s first private network at the Banga Kayo oil field, aiming to boost oilfield connectivity, network security, and digital transformation in Central Africa’s energy sector. This five-year agreement supports real-time monitoring, automation, and future 5G integration, setting a new precedent for telecom and oil industry partnerships in the region.

COAI Opposes Direct Spectrum Allocation for Private 5G in India

India’s DoT Reopens Doors for Direct Spectrum Allocation for Private 5G Networks
The Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI), representing Reliance Jio, Bharti Airtel, and Vodafone Idea, is pushing back against direct 5G spectrum allocation for enterprises. COAI argues that India’s urban coverage, revenue priorities, and national security risks make an operator-led model via spectrum leasing or network slicing, more viable. The Department of Telecommunications is reviewing TRAI’s recommendation, with the decision set to shape India’s private 5G market for years.

Vodacom & Airtel Africa Partner on Tower, Fiber Sharing

Vodacom & Airtel Africa Partner on Tower, Fiber Sharing
Vodacom Group and Airtel Africa have signed a strategic infrastructure sharing agreement in Mozambique, Tanzania, and the DRC. The deal—pending regulatory approval—will enable fiber and tower sharing to accelerate 4G/5G rollout, cut infrastructure costs, and expand coverage in underserved regions, driving Africa’s digital inclusion agenda.

Reliance Jio Tops Global Telecom Charts with 488M Users & 5G Growth

Reliance Jio Tops Global Telecom Charts with 488M Users & 5G Growth
Reliance Jio has claimed the title of the world’s largest telecom operator with 488 million subscribers, including 191 million on its 5G network. Despite a 25% tariff hike, Jio’s 5G adoption continues to soar, making up 45% of its total wireless data traffic. Backed by investments in AI, 6G, and satellite internet—plus a partnership with SpaceX’s Starlink—Jio is expanding its reach beyond India to become a global tech leader.

India’s Internet & Telecom FY25: 969M Users, 17% ARPU Growth, Rural Expansion

India’s Internet & Telecom FY25: 969M Users, 17% ARPU Growth, Rural Expansion
India’s internet subscriber base hit 969.10 million in FY25, with broadband users rising 2.17% and narrowband shrinking. TRAI data shows wireless ARPU up 16.89%, strong wireline growth, rural connectivity gains, and Jio-Airtel dominance — while DTH shrinks and OTT rises.

Starlink Launches $10 Satellite Internet Plan in India

Starlink Launches Satellite Internet Plan in India
Starlink plans to enter India’s broadband market with a $10/month satellite internet service, aiming to reach 10 million users. Backed by SpaceX, the offering challenges local 5G and FWA providers like Jio and Airtel while targeting underserved rural regions. Regulatory hurdles, hardware costs, and network capacity may influence its success.

India’s Telecom Revenues to Surge 14% in FY25 on AI Adoption, Vodafone Tariff Hikes

India’s Internet & Telecom FY25: 969M Users, 17% ARPU Growth, Rural Expansion
India’s telecom sector is forecasted to grow 12–14% in FY25, hitting ₹3 lakh crore in revenue, with AI adoption, Vodafone-led tariff hikes, and R&D investment driving momentum. AI is not just boosting efficiency—it’s reshaping the future of telecom jobs, infrastructure, and policy. Sunil Bharti Mittal called for stronger private R&D efforts and smarter policy frameworks to harness India’s demographic advantage and scale the next era of AI-powered telecom innovation.

Feature Your Brand with the Winners

In Private Network Magazine Editions

See Options

Sponsorship placements open until Oct 31, 2025

Explore Magazines

Promote your brand
AI Pulse: Telecom's New Frontier - TeckNexus Magazine

AI Pulse: Telecom’s New Frontier

Private 5G/LTE and CBRS Networks in Action: Transforming Industries

TeckNexus Newsletters

I acknowledge and agree to receive TeckNexus communications in line with the T&C and privacy policy. 

Sponsored Content

5G NR Transparent NTN: Deployment Aspect and Challenges

5G NR Transparent NTN: Deployment Aspect and Challenges

Article & Insights
This article explores the deployment of 5G NR Transparent Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTNs), detailing the architecture's advantages and challenges. It highlights how this "bent-pipe" NTN approach integrates ground-based gNodeB components with NGSO satellite constellations to expand global connectivity. Key challenges like moving beam management, interference mitigation, and latency are discussed, underscoring...
AI-Powered Service Assurance – Leveraging DPUs, GPUs, and GenAI for Next-Gen Networks

AI-Powered Service Assurance – Leveraging DPUs, GPUs, and GenAI for Next-Gen Networks

Whitepaper
Telecom networks are facing unprecedented complexity with 5G, IoT, and cloud services. Traditional service assurance methods are becoming obsolete, making AI-driven, real-time analytics essential for competitive advantage. This independent industry whitepaper explores how DPUs, GPUs, and Generative AI (GenAI) are enabling predictive automation, reducing operational costs, and improving service quality....
How Is Generative AI Transforming Telecom Infrastructure?

How Is Generative AI Transforming Telecom Infrastructure?

Whitepaper
Explore how Generative AI is transforming telecom infrastructure by solving critical industry challenges like massive data management, network optimization, and personalized customer experiences. This whitepaper offers in-depth insights into AI and Gen AI's role in boosting operational efficiency while ensuring security and regulatory compliance. Telecom operators can harness these AI-driven...
Supermicro and Nvidia Logo

Check Private Network Readiness

Industry Vertical Specific Deep-Dive Assessment
Manufacturing
Manufacturing
$1500

250 questions based assessment and insights

$1500
Utilities
Utilities
$750

65+ questions based assessment and insights

$750
Mining
Mining
$1000

160 questions based assessment and insights

$1000
Aviation
Aviation
Coming Soon

75+ questions based assessment and insights

Coming Soon
Ports
Ports
Coming Soon

75+ questions based assessment and insights

Coming Soon

* Prices does not include tax

Scroll to Top

Feature Your Brand with the Private Network Award Winners

Sponsorship placements are open until October 31, 2025.
Promote your brand with Leaders
Feature Vendor-Submitted Article -- $900
Feature One Page Ad -- $700
Feature Executive Interview & Article -- $1950
Promote your brand