India

DE-CIX India has become the first internet exchange in India to integrate Starlinkโ€™s low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite service, marking a strategic advance in non-terrestrial network (NTN) capabilities. With 25โ€“220 Mbps throughput and low latency, Starlink's interconnection via DE-CIX enables local breakout, cloud on-ramps, and SD-WAN optimization across hard-to-reach regions. As regulatory approvals move toward completion, satellite connectivity shifts from pilot to production-ready, opening new paths for mobile backhaul, enterprise WANs, and e-governance.
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.
Kyndryls’ three-year, $2.25 billion plan signals an aggressive push to anchor AI-led infrastructure modernization in India’s digital economy and to scale delivery across regulated industries. The $2.25 billion commitment, anchored by the Bengaluru AI lab and tied to governance and skilling programs, should accelerate enterprise-grade AI and hybrid modernization across India. Expect more co-created reference architectures, deeper public-sector engagements, and tighter integration with network and cloud partners through 2026. For telecom and large enterprises, this is a timely opportunity to industrialize AI, modernize core platforms, and raise operational resilience provided programs are governed with clear metrics, strong security, and a pragmatic path from pilot to production.
India’s AI oversight for telecom is moving from recommendations to implementation, with policy review and technical workstreams running in parallel. The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India has issued recommendations on leveraging artificial intelligence and big data in telecom, including the creation of an independent statutory authority for AI governance. The proposed Artificial Intelligence and Data Authority of India (AIDAI) is envisioned to promote responsible AI development and regulate sectoral use cases. The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology has initiated projects with research bodies and universities focused on how to ensure and test AI trustworthiness.
Vodafone Idea (Vi) and IBM are launching an AI Innovation Hub to infuse AI and automation into Vis IT and operations, aiming to boost reliability, speed delivery, and improve customer experience in Indias fast-evolving 5G market. IBM Consulting will work with Vi to co-create AI solutions, digital accelerators, and automation tooling that modernize IT service delivery and streamline business processes. The initiative illustrates how AI and automation can reshape telco IT and managed services while laying groundwork for 5G-era revenue streams. Unified DevOps across OSS/BSS enables faster rollout of plans, bundles, and digital journeys.
India has cleared a high-capacity semiconductor fabrication plant slated to produce up to 50,000 300mm wafers per month, a cornerstone move to localize chip supply for telecom, cloud, automotive, and industrial electronics. India’s electronics and IT leadership confirmed plans for a large-scale silicon fab with a targeted capacity of 50,000 wafers per month. The project is being led by Tata Group, with technology partnership support widely expected from a specialty foundry player, aligning with earlier approvals for mature-node logic and power processes. The fab is planned in Gujarat’s industrial corridor, building on India’s recent momentum in assembly, test, and packaging investments.
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 Indiaโ€™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 TRAIโ€™s recommendation, with the decision set to shape Indiaโ€™s private 5G market for years.
Tata-owned Nelco has partnered with Eutelsat OneWeb to launch LEO satellite services across India, targeting land, maritime, and aviation sectors. The deal aims to deliver secure, high-speed, low-latency connectivity, support national security, and expand coverage to remote areas. Pending spectrum allocation, Nelco will be ready to offer services once OneWebโ€™s India network goes live.
Indiaโ€™s first Private 5G Captive Non-Public Network (CNPN) is now operational at Numaligarh Refinery in Assam, thanks to BSNL and NRL. This private 5G network supports real-time IoT, AI-driven analytics, and AR/VR-based workforce training, setting a new benchmark in refinery automation and cybersecurity. A major step for Digital Assam and the Atmanirbhar Bharat mission.
Indiaโ€™s satellite internet market will focus on enterprise demand over consumer use, according to DoTโ€™s Gulab Chand. With 4G and 5G networks covering most of the country, satellite services are expected to serve sectors like logistics, energy, and mining. Startups and government support are fueling Indiaโ€™s space-tech ecosystem, creating a hybrid terrestrial-satellite network model to power the nationโ€™s digital growth.
Indiaโ€™s rejection of Nokiaโ€™s 5G network slicing patent highlights a growing legal battle over telecom IP. Nokiaโ€™s appeal challenges Indiaโ€™s strict stance on software patents, while global competitors like Huawei and Ericsson dominate the 5G patent race. This decision may reshape vendor strategies, investment priorities, and legal precedents in next-gen telecom.

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Non-terrestrial networks (NTNs) have evolved from experimental satellite systems to integral components of global connectivity. The transition from geostationary satellites to low Earth orbit constellations has significantly enhanced mobile broadband services. With the adoption of 3GPP standards, NTNs now seamlessly integrate with terrestrial networks, providing expanded coverage and new opportunities,...
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