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Tag: DOT

  • GTPL Hathway navigates challenging quarter, eyes future growth

    GTPL Hathway navigates challenging quarter, eyes future growth

    MUMBAI: GTPL Hathway has unveiled its unaudited financial results for the first quarter ended 30 June 2025, revealing a mixed bag for the entertainment and broadband major. While the company saw an uptick in its top line, profitability faced a squeeze during the period.

    The consolidated revenue from operations for Q1 FY26 stood at Rs 5,946.79 million, a healthy increase from Rs 5,359.94 million reported in the same quarter last year. Total income also reflected this growth, climbing to Rs 5,990.20 million from Rs 5,432.95 million year-on-year. On a consolidated basis, total income for the quarter reached Rs 9,091 million, marking a 7 per cent rise year-on-year and a 1 per cent increase quarter-on-quarter.

    However, the spotlight falls on the company’s profitability. Net profit after tax (Pat) saw a significant decline, coming in at Rs 56.25 million for Q1 FY26, a stark contrast to Rs 150.23 million in Q1 FY25. Consolidated PAT was Rs 105 million, consistent with the previous quarter but down from Rs 143 million in Q1 FY25. Consolidated earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortisation (EBITDA) was recorded at Rs 1,123 million, with an EBITDA margin of 12.4 per cent. This is a decrease from Rs 1,205 million and a 14.2 per cent margin in the corresponding quarter of the prior fiscal year.

    Operationally, GTPL Hathway continues to expand its reach. The cable television business maintained a strong subscriber base, with 9.60 million active set-top boxes and 8.90 million paying subscribers as of Q1 FY26. The broadband segment also showed progress, reaching 1.05 million active subscribers and a home-pass count of 5.95 million. Average data consumption per customer soared to 410 GB per month, a 17 per cent increase year-on-year, while average revenue per user (ARPU) held steady at Rs 465..

    In a strategic move, the board of directors approved the re-appointment of Anirudhsinh Jadeja as managing director for a further three-year term, effective from 8 December 2025.

    The company also highlighted a contingent liability related to a demand from the Department of Telecommunications (DOT) for licence fees totalling Rs 9,754.15 million. GTPL Hathway remains confident in its legal position and has not recognised any provision for this matter.

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  • Vodafone Idea misses Rs 6,090 crore spectrum payment—Now what?

    Vodafone Idea misses Rs 6,090 crore spectrum payment—Now what?

    MUMBAI: Another day, another Vodafone Idea financial hurdle. Akshay Moondra led telco, already walking a tightrope, has failed to submit a hefty Rs 6,090.7 crore bank guarantee or make a cash payment of Rs 5,493.2 crore to the department of telecommunications (DoT) for the 2015 spectrum auction shortfall, according to a report in The Economic Times.

    The deadline? 10 March.

    The result? No payment.

    And now, the government isn’t exactly thrilled, “We will see what action can be taken in the coming couple of days,” an official privy to the matter told ET. In other words—brace for impact. The DoT has not granted any extension so far, keeping Vodafone Idea on tenterhooks.

    The government had earlier attempted to throw the financially embattled telco a lifeline by waiving off bank guarantees (BGs) worth Rs 33,000 crore for past spectrum auctions across the private telecom giants—Reliance Jio, Bharti Airtel, and Vodafone Idea (Vi). Out of this, Vi had been the biggest beneficiary, with Rs 24,800 crore in waivers. However, the fine print required Vi to still cough up cash or submit a BG for the 2015 auction, where it had a one-time partial shortfall.

    Meanwhile, competitors Bharti Airtel and Reliance Jio had no such obligations, as their payments had already exceeded the pro-rata value of their spectrum use. Vi, however, was left holding the bag.

    Now, what happens? The ball is in the government’s court.

    With no payment in sight and no extension announced, DoT may be forced to take action. Will it demand strict penalties? Will it extend the deadline in an act of mercy? No one knows just yet. But for Vi, already struggling with debt and subscriber losses, another financial setback is the last thing it needs.

    ET in their report mentioned that queries sent to Vodafone Idea remained unanswered at the time of going to press. Given the company’s track record, it’s anyone’s guess whether the telco will come up with the funds or find itself in even deeper trouble.

  • TRAI defends key recommendations on telecom service authorisations framework

    TRAI defends key recommendations on telecom service authorisations framework

    Department of Telecommunications (DoT) regarding several aspects of its September 2024 recommendations on the framework for service authorisations under the Telecommunications Act, 2023.

    The response follows a back-reference from the DoT dated 14 January 2025, in which the government indicated several of TRAI’s original recommendations from September 2024 may require modification or might not be accepted.

    The regulatory exchange began in June 2024 when the DoT requested TRAI’s input on terms, conditions and charges for telecommunications service authorisations under the new Act. After consultations with industry stakeholders, TRAI submitted its initial recommendations in September last year.

    Having examined the government’s concerns, TRAI has now finalised its reconsidered position. The complete response has been published on the TRAI website.

    In a detailed document, TRAI has stood firm on several key recommendations that the DoT had expressed reservations about, particularly regarding the structure of service authorisations.

    The regulator defended its position on introducing separate authorisations for satellite-based telecommunications and Machine-to-Machine (M2M) services, rejecting the DoT’s suggestion to integrate these within broader service categories. TRAI argued that separate authorisations would better promote investment and operational focus in these niche segments.

    “To attract business entities to enter the relatively underdeveloped satellite-based telecommunication service segment in the country, and to preserve the business focus of such entities, a separate service authorisation is necessary,” TRAI stated in its response.

    The authority also reiterated its recommendation that for any substantive changes to authorisation terms and conditions, the Central Government should seek TRAI’s recommendations, emphasising the importance of regulatory stability in a capital-intensive sector.

    Additionally, TRAI maintained its position on the need for sub-circle level authorisations to enable smaller service providers to operate efficiently within limited geographic areas.

    To read the full TRAI rebuttal please click here.

     

  • TRAI convenes meeting of Joint Committee of Regulators (JCoR)

    TRAI convenes meeting of Joint Committee of Regulators (JCoR)

    Mumbai – TRAI convened a meeting of the Joint Committee of Regulators (JCoR) on 27 August 2024, at its headquarters in New Delhi. Members  of the JCoR from IRDAl, PFRDA, RBI, SEBI, MoCA, MeitY, and TIAI attended the meeting. Additionally, DoT and MHA representatives joined as special guests. The JCoR serves as a collaborative platform to examine regulatory implications in the digital age and work collaboratively on regulatory frameworks.

    In his address, TRAI chairman Anil Kumar Lahoti stressed the need for a joint effort to tackle the problem of spam messages and calls. He urged the regulators to discuss and enable implementation of (i) whitelisting of URLs, APKs, O’IT links and call back numbers to be sent in SMS, (ii) migration of existing telemarketers making promotional calls to 140 series on DLT platform, and (iii) declaration of entire chain of telemarketers engaged by them for PE-TM chain binding.

    The meeting explored potential collaborative efforts and strategies to address UCC and fraud through telecom resources. The key issues discussed are as given below-

    “Role of Entities in Whitelisting of URLs, APKs, OTF links, and call back numbers in the content templates and ensuring the traceability of all the messages from senders to recipients – Many instances of misuse of headers and templates have been observed. Fraud takes place through the transmission of malicious links using the variable parts of the messages. In case of misuse of headers and content templates, it is difficult to find the entity that pushed the traffic. Therefore, mandatory whitelisting of URLs, APKs, O’Vl’ links, or call back numbers, and declaration of the entire chain of telemarketers engaged by them for PE-TM chain binding as per the timelines fixed by TRAI’s latest Directions needs to be enforced.

    “Addressing the issue of entities using PRI/ SIP channels for making unsolicited calls – Many business entities make commercial voice calls using SIP/ PRI lines with hundreds of indicators in violation of TRAI’s regulations. These entities should be migrated to the designated 140 series for making promotional calls. Also, there is an urgent need to take firm action, without further delay, on spammers who are using PRI/ SIP/ bulk connections for making promotional voice calls! Robo calls! Pre-recorded calls. 

    “Leveraging the DCA system established by digital service providers to obtain digital consent from consumers – DCA system will be of great value to the entities, not only for messaging services, but also for voice calls. It permits the delivery of messages and calls to the recipients despite their DND preference. The technical infrastructure for DCA is now in place. Regulators were requested to ask the entities under their jurisdiction to start using this facility in a time bound manner.

    “Use of 160 series by the Entities for making service and transactional calls for easy identification by the consumers – 160 series has been allocated exclusively for Service and Transactional Calls. A Pilot Study was commissioned by TRAT and RBI to determine the technical feasibility of various options, the outcome of the same was discussed. Enhancing information exchange among regulators to control frauds using telecom resources – Emphasis was given to exchange information available with various regulators on their platforms and for its effective utilisation to control frauds.

    By addressing these issues collectively, the JCoR aims to protect consumers from the harms of spam and fraud while ensuring a more secure and efficient telecom ecosystem.

  • Airtel gets penalty notice for alleged violation of subscribers verification forms

    Airtel gets penalty notice for alleged violation of subscribers verification forms

    Mumbai: In BSE filings, Bharati Airtel informed that the company received a notice from the telecom department for allegedly violating norms of subscribers amounting to Rs 3.57 lakh. Notice pertains to Bihar LSA and received on 8 January 2024.

    Commenting on the notice, Airtel said, ‘ We submit the details of the notice received by the company from the telecom department for a 3.57 lakh fine for allegedly violation of subscribers verification forms.’

    Citing details, the company said it pertained to an alleged violation of terms and conditions with respect to subscriber verification norms under the Licence Agreement, pursuant to a sample customer application form (CAF) audit conducted by the Department of Telecom for September 2023.

    (News taken from syndicated feed)

  • Trai releases recommendations on ‘Leveraging Artificial Intelligence and Big Data in Telecommunication Sector’

    Trai releases recommendations on ‘Leveraging Artificial Intelligence and Big Data in Telecommunication Sector’

    Mumbai: Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has released  recommendations on ‘Leveraging Artificial Intelligence and Big Data in Telecommunication Sector’. The regulatory authority stated in a press release, dated 20 July 2023, “The impact of AI is not limited to only the telecom sector. AI has the potential to impact a wide range of sectors, including healthcare, finance, transportation, education, agriculture and many others. Therefore, it is important to take a holistic approach for examining the impact of AI across all sectors rather than focusing only on telecom.”

    It further said, “As AI technology is still evolving, it took time to examine and bring out the multiple aspects of AI/ML in the telecommunication and other sectors by studying various international practices which are also in the nascent stage.” 

    Based on the comments of the stakeholders, discussion during the Open House Discussion and analysis thereof, the authority has finalised these recommendations. In view of the impact of AI in all sectors, the framework which has to be suggested for telecom cannot be treated in isolation and hence a common framework covering all the sectors is being proposed.

  • DoT extends PLI Scheme for telecom and networking products to 42 beneficiaries

    DoT extends PLI Scheme for telecom and networking products to 42 beneficiaries

    Mumbai: The Ministry of Communications has approved 42 companies, including 28 MSMEs, under the PLI Scheme for telecom and networking products, providing a significant boost to prime minister Narendra Modi’s vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat. Design-led manufacturing will build a strong ecosystem for 5G.  

    17 companies have applied for an additional 1 per cent incentive under design-led manufacturing criteria. These 42 companies have committed Rs 4,115 crores in investment. This is expected to generate additional sales of Rs 2.45 lakh crores and create more than 44,000 new jobs over the course of the scheme.

    The Union budget for FY’22-23 announced a design-led PLI Scheme for telecom and networking products in order to build a strong domestic value chain.  

    It provided an additional 1 per cent incentive on top of the existing incentives for products designed and manufactured in India. The design-led PLI scheme was launched in June 2022, and applications were invited from design-led manufacturers and others to take advantage of the incentive under the PLI Scheme for five years beginning on 1 April.

    Existing PLI scheme companies for telecom and networking products were allowed to add more products and apply for the design-led PLI scheme. They also received the advantage of extending their 5-year PLI Scheme period by one year. This opportunity to shift their first year was taken advantage of by 22 companies, including 13 new applicants.  

    The enthusiastic response from domestic and global manufacturers to the concrete steps taken by the Government of India to encourage telecom equipment manufacturing demonstrates the Government’s strong confidence in its initiatives. India is on track to become a design and manufacturing center for telecom and networking equipment.

    The approved applicants under the PLI Scheme for telecom and networking products are Alphion India , Candid Optronix, Coral Telecom, Design and Manufacturing Vista Electronics , Ehoome IOT, Elcom Innovations, Frog Cellsat, GDN Enterprises , GO IP Global Services ,GX India, Huber + Suhner Electronics, Kaynes International Design & Manufacturing , Lekha Wireless Solutions, Matrix Comsec, Netlink ICT, Netweb Technologies, Panache Digilife, Priyaraj Electronics,Samriddhi Automations ,Sansap Technology , Sixth Energy Technologies , Skyquad Electronics and Appliances Private Limited, Surbhi Satcom Private Limited, Synegra EMS, Systrome Technologies, Tecniqua India, Tianyin Worldtech India , Vihaan Networks , Dixon Electro Appliances, HFCL, ITI ,Neolync Tele Communications, Syrma SGS Technology, Tejas Networks , VVDN Technologies, Commscope India , Flextronics Technologies (India), Jabil Circuit India, Nokia Solutions and Networks India, Rising Stars Hi-Tech , Samsung India Electronics and Sanmina-Sci India.

     

  • Trai accommodates Prasar Bharati’s concerns on 5G auctions; overlooks private broadcasters

    Trai accommodates Prasar Bharati’s concerns on 5G auctions; overlooks private broadcasters

    Mumbai: Despite several requests from private broadcasters, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) seems to have overlooked their request in the much-awaited recommendation on the 5G spectrum auction released on Monday. The telecom regulator, however, has accommodated Prasar Bharati’s concerns regarding the auctioning of the 526-582 MHz frequency band being used by Doordarshan for providing terrestrial TV broadcasting.

    The private players had requested for an adequate guard band of 100MHz between the 3300-3670 MHz allocated to 5G and 3700-4200 MHz being used by them in accordance with the international telecommunication union (ITU) norms. 

    Trai has instead recommended the department of telecommunication (DoT) to ask the ministry of information and broadcasting (MIB) to take appropriate action and sensitise the MSOs, DTH operators, and other users to ensure the use of high-quality bandpass filters operating in 3700-4200 MHz range to avoid interference from IMT stations.

    “As the IMT emissions in the 3300-3670 MHz may saturate the low noise block (LNB) of the fixed-satellite service (FSS) earth station which traditionally operates in the 3400-4200 MHz, there is a need to make use of high-quality bandpass filters operating in 3700-4200 MHz range,” a statement issued by Trai said. 

    ALSO READ | Broadcasters huddle up as 5G roll-out plan gathers pace

    Broadcasters claimed to have faced interference on downlink frequencies during the initial 5G trials, following which they raised the issue with the MIB, DoT, and WPC (Wireless Planning and Coordination Wing of DoT), and the Trai. There were apprehensions around potential interference due to the larger C band allocation to 5G and the limited guard band of 30 MHz between the two services.

    “The 526-612 MHz frequency range should not be put in the forthcoming auction,” Trai recommended while stating the following reasons:

    (i)  Band plan(s) for the frequency range 526-612 MHz is yet to be defined by 3GPP/ITU.

    (ii)  Development of ecosystem for IMT in the 526-612 MHz frequency range will take some time.

    (iii)  MIB is using the 526-582 MHz band extensively across the country for TV transmitters.

    The telecom regulator has urged the DoT to come out with a plan for reframing the 526-582 MHz band to be utilised for IMT deployments. “To make 526-582 MHz band available for IMT, DoT should work with MIB to prepare a plan for an early migration from analogue to digital transmission, so that the frequency band from 526-582 MHz can be vacated for IMT services,” it said.

    Prasar Bharati had earlier argued that airwaves in the 526-582 MHz frequency band are required for the expansion and modernisation of its services. The public broadcaster had told Trai that “availability of spectrum is very crucial for planning DD TV Transmitters. Thus, the decision to use frequency band 470-698 for IMT purpose can be taken only after finalisation of terrestrial TV services by Doordarshan or other private broadcasters.”

    “Many analogue, digital-ready and digital terrestrial TV transmitters are operating in the band. Also, digital-ready transmitters are under installation in the union territory of Jammu & Kashmir for which the wireless planning & coordination wing (WPC) has provided for in this band only,” it added.

    The DoT, through its letter dated 13 September 2021, requested Trai to furnish its recommendations on the auction of spectrum in the frequencies identified for international mobile telecommunications (IMT)/5G. The recommendations were sought on the applicable reserve price, band plan, block size, the quantum of spectrum to be auctioned and associated conditions for auction of spectrum in 526-698 MHz, 700 MHz, 800 MHz, 900 MHz, 1800 MHz, 2100 MHz, 2300 MHz, 2500 MHz, 3300-3670 MHz, and 24.25 – 28.5 GHz bands identified for IMT/5G in India.

    Except for 526-698 MHz, Trai has recommended that all available spectrum in the abovementioned bands be put to auction for 5G services.

  • Trai institutes mechanism for speedy implementation of its recommendations by DoT, MIB

    Trai institutes mechanism for speedy implementation of its recommendations by DoT, MIB

    Mumbai: The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) has released its annual report for the year 2020-21. The report contains an overview of the broadcasting sector and a summary of the key initiatives of Trai on regulatory matters with specific reference to the functions mandated to it under the Act.

    Over the last few years, Trai has sent a number of recommendations to the department of telecommunications (DoT) and the ministry of information and broadcasting (MIB) on important issues concerning the growth of broadcasting and cable services in the country. A number of these recommendations have been accepted during the period. “However, many of the important recommendations are still pending for decision/implementation by DoT and MIB which if implemented would have a significant positive impact on the sector,” the telecom regulator said.

    Important recommendations that have been accepted by MIB during the year 2020-21 and their likely impact on the sector are detailed below:

    (i) Recommendations on “Issues related to New DTH Licenses” were forwarded to the government on 23 July 2014. The implementation of these recommendations will ensure certainty and continuity of business and orderly growth of the DTH sector and will promote a level playing field. After acceptance of these recommendations by MIB, the amendments to DTH License guidelines were issued on 30 December 2020.

    (ii) Recommendations on “KYC of DTH Set Top Boxes” forwarded to the government on 24 October 2019 addressed the security concerns for use of DTH boxes outside the country as satellites have footprints beyond geographical boundaries. The acceptance and implementation of these Recommendations will result in standardisation of the verification process and will ensure installation of DTH connection at the address mentioned in CAF and will not load the industry/customer with unnecessary additional requirements and costs.

    (iii) Recommendations on “Platform Services offered by DTH Operators” forwarded to the government on 13 November 2019 addressed the issues of bringing platform services under a regulatory framework and providing transparent information to consumers about platform services. Amendments to DTH License guidelines have been issued by MIB on 30 December 2020 whereby DTH operators are permitted to operate platform services channels to a maximum of five per cent of their total channel carrying capacity.

    Recommendations forwarded to MIB that are still pending with the government as of 31 March 2021 are as follows:

    1.      Recommendations on restrictions on certain entities from entering the business of broadcasting and distribution of TV channels.

    2.      Recommendations on Issues related to radio audience measurement and ratings in India.

    3.      Recommendations on issues related to digital terrestrial broadcasting (DTT) in India.

    4.      Recommendations on sharing infrastructure in the TV broadcasting distribution sector.

    5.      Recommendations on issues related to digital radio broadcasting in India.

    6.      Recommendations on issues relating to uplinking and downlinking of television channels in India.

    7.      Recommendations on reserve price for auction of FM radio channels in new cities.

    8.      Recommendations on interoperability of set-top box.

    9.      Recommendations on review of television audience measurement and rating system in India.

    10.    Recommendations on a regulatory framework for platform services (PS) for MSO.

    The Trai felt that a periodic review of the implementation status of all recommendations of the authority should be done at the highest level. With an objective to put in place a mechanism whereby there is a periodic review of the implementation of pending recommendations of Trai in DoT/MIB and to create a central repository for real-time tracking of the status of all recommendations, the regulator has developed a recommendation status portal which can be accessed jointly by Trai, DoT, and MIB.

  • PMO wants 5G launch by 15 Aug; DoT seeks Trai recommendations

    PMO wants 5G launch by 15 Aug; DoT seeks Trai recommendations

    Mumbai: In view of the prime minister’s office (PMO) being keen on initial 5G launch by 15 August, the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has requested the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) to expedite its recommendations on 5G spectrum auctions, possibly before March.

    “In response to decisions/action points emanating from deliberations of a monitoring group, PMO has requested DoT to work towards the initial launch of 5G by 15 August 2022, and also explore the possibility of obtaining requisite recommendations from Trai before March 2022,” said DoT.

    The telecom regulator is working on the DoT’s request for recommendation on modalities such as reserve price, band plan, block size and quantum of spectrum to be auctioned, that were earlier expected to come in by March-end.

    According to recent indications by the telecom department, 5G spectrum auctions are likely to be held in May. Telecom secretary K Rajaraman told news agency PTI that the DoT has already selected MSTC as the auctioneer for the upcoming auction.

    In light of revised spectrum availability in 900 Mhz and 800 Mhz as a result of vacations/surrenders by Indian Railways and GoI, the DoT has also requested Trai to examine the need to review channel plan in 800 Mhz band and number of spectrum blocks that can be made available for telecom services in 800 Mhz band while providing their recommendations in response to DoT’s reference dated 13.09.2021 regarding upcoming spectrum auctions.

    Airwaves in several bands including 526-698 MHz, 700 MHz, 800MHz, 900 MHz, 1800 MHz, 2100 MHz, 2300 MHz, 2500 MHz, 3300-3670 MHz, and 24.25-28.5 GHz have been identified for 5G auctions in India.

    Norms for 526-698 MHz and millimetre band (24.25 – 28.5 GHz) are being worked out even as the aviation and broadcasting industries in India, and globally have voiced concerns regarding possible interference in C band spectrum (3.7-4.2 GHz). Public broadcaster Prasar Bharati has also raised an objection to the auctioning of 526-582 MHz frequency band that is being used by Doordarshan for providing terrestrial TV broadcasting.