OTT

India has ceded the lowest-tariff crown to Bangladesh and Egypt, yet it still leads on value through generous allowances and low data unit costs. Indian base plans commonly include unlimited voice, whereas Bangladesh and Egypt restrict voice to roughly 100 and 70 minutes respectively at entry level. On data, incremental purchase economics are unusually attractive: an extra Rs 100 typically buys around 26 GB, or about Rs 4 per GB, keeping India among the most affordable data markets globally. Even after adjusting for purchasing power parity, India remains at the affordable end of global tariff rankings.
Jio closed the quarter ended 30 September with 234 million 5G users, up 86 million year-on-year and now approaching half of its 506.4 million total mobile base. Financial momentum tracked the subscriber and traffic surge. Jio Platforms posted quarterly revenue of INR 426.5 billion, up 14.9% year-on-year, and net profit of INR 73.8 billion, up 12.8%. Jio’s fixed wireless access service, Jio AirFiber, more than tripled year-on-year to 9.5 million subscribers. Bottom line: Jio’s 5G is now at meaningful scale with rising ARPU, heavier usage, and fast-growing FWA—setting up a monetization phase led by targeted pricing actions, application partnerships, and enterprise services as 5G-Advanced capabilities arrive.
At India Mobile Congress 2025, Jio framed a broad agenda that ties devices, networks, AI skills, and safety into a national-scale digital strategy. The message from Jio’s chairman was clear: India’s telecom flywheel now spans the full value chain, from semiconductors and device platforms to fraud management and the next wave of 6G research. Telcos are shifting from pure connectivity to platform businesses that bundle devices, cloud access, security, and AI services. JioPC is positioned as an “AI-ready” computer that turns any screen into a managed endpoint, delivered through a subscription model.
OpenAI is reportedly preparing a standalone app for its next-gen video model, positioning AI-only short video as a consumer format in its own right. The app reportedly delivers a vertical feed with swipe navigation, reactions, and remixing familiar mechanics that lower friction for discovery and creation. Every clip is generated by Sora 2 rather than uploaded, with current limits around 10 seconds per video. A recommendation engine powers a personalized “For You” experience, aligning with how short-form attention is won and retained today. A notable feature is identity verification tied to likeness usage. Expect provenance signals and watermarking frameworks (for example, C2PA-style manifests) to become table stakes for platforms that remix human likeness at scale.
Korea’s three national carriers have enabled Rich Communication Services (RCS) on iPhones via Apple’s recent iOS update, bringing Android–iOS parity for default messaging to a market long dominated by OTT apps. SK Telecom, KT, and LG Uplus now support RCS for iPhone users across Korea, extending capabilities that previously existed only on Android. RCS on iPhone is available on iPhone 11 series and newer models running the latest iOS update, with activation dependent on carrier support and user settings. Users gain modern chat features including group messaging with up to 100 Android participants, read receipts, typing indicators, replies, and support for richer media.
DE-CIX India has become the first internet exchange in India to integrate Starlink’s low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite service, marking a strategic advance in non-terrestrial network (NTN) capabilities. With 25–220 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.
Rogers’ “Plus It Up” campaign combines upbeat family moments, the hit song Too Easy by Canadian indie artist Connor Price, and the promise of 5G+ connectivity. The TV ad emphasizes household savings with multi-line plans, nationwide coverage, and perks like exclusive entertainment access, all while spotlighting homegrown music talent.
COAI has endorsed MeitY’s move to address spam and scam communication from OTT apps. While telecom operators follow strict UCC rules, OTT platforms remain loosely regulated. COAI is advocating for uniform cybersecurity standards and clear regulatory roles to ensure user safety, particularly with emerging threats like steganography.
In Driving Europe’s Digital Future, telecom leaders Margherita Della Valle (Vodafone), Christel Heydemann (Orange), and Tim Höttges (Deutsche Telekom) deliver a unified message: Europe must reform telecom regulation, invest in AI and infrastructure, and scale operations to remain globally competitive. From lagging 5G rollout to emerging AI-at-the-edge opportunities, they urge policymakers to embrace consolidation, cut red tape, and drive fair investment frameworks. Europe’s path to digital sovereignty hinges on bold leadership, collaborative policy, and future-ready infrastructure.
India’s telecom sector is rapidly evolving with AI and automation enhancing network operations, customer service, and 5G deployment. With over 125 million 5G users and major investments from companies like Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel, AI technologies are proving essential for scalability and efficiency. Despite challenges like infrastructure integration and talent gaps, India’s growing AI ecosystem and government support are driving the future of smart telecom solutions.
India’s telecom industry is advancing rapidly, driven by 5G expansion, AI-powered innovations, and the ambitious Bharat 6G Vision. With 460,592 5G BTS sites deployed and 125 million users already connected, the sector is set to lead global telecom innovation. However, challenges like regulatory disparities and spectrum allocation need urgent attention to sustain this growth and realize its full potential.

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