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Business Standard
4 days ago
- Business
- Business Standard
Battling losses and loans, one state-owned telco pulls ahead of another
BSNL and MTNL have needed state support but their financial trajectories are now diverging Jayant Pankaj Listen to This Article The Department of Telecommunications recently approached the Finance Ministry once again to seek funds to help repay the mounting debt of MTNL, which provides telecom services in Delhi and Mumbai. BSNL, which provides services in the rest of the country, has needed help as well, marking the two state-owned telecom companies' financial distress. From FY15 to FY25, BSNL reported cumulative net losses of Rs 85,001 crore. MTNL's losses were Rs 31,814 crore (as of December 2024). However, there is a contrast in the companies' recent financial trajectories. BSNL, short for Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited, is turning around: it reported net
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Business Standard
5 days ago
- Business Standard
Digital divide: 51% rural women don't own a mobile phone, shows NSO data
Nearly half of the women living in rural areas do not own a mobile phone, according to the latest Comprehensive Modular Survey: Telecom, 2025 (CMS -T) released by the National Statistics Office (NSO) on Thursday. Data showed that 51.6 per cent of women belonging to the '15 years and above age group' in rural areas don't own a mobile phone, while 80.7 per cent of men own one. Meanwhile, in urban areas, 71.8 per cent of women owned mobile phones, while 90 per cent of men owned a mobile device. The NSO survey defines mobile phone ownership as having a device with an active SIM card for personal use, including employer-provided phones and those not registered in the user's name. The survey did not consider individuals with only SIM cards as owning a mobile phone. Data also revealed that in rural areas, around 79.2 per cent of men and 75.6 per cent of women aged 15 years and above who owned a mobile phone had a smartphone. In urban areas, the figures were estimated at 89.4 per cent for men and 86.2 per cent for women in the same age group. The gender divide in mobile phone ownership was also evident among the younger population. While 74.8 per cent of rural males aged 15–24 owned a mobile phone, the corresponding figure for females was just 51.7 per cent. However, the divide was less pronounced in terms of the use of mobile phones. As many as 76.3 per cent of rural women and 86.8 per cent of urban women reported using a mobile phone (smartphone or otherwise) for making personal calls and/or accessing the internet at least once during the three months preceding the date of the survey. The corresponding figure for men stood at 89.5 per cent in rural areas and 95 per cent in urban areas. The survey also highlighted near-universal mobile phone usage among the youth (15–24 age group). As many as 98 per cent of rural males and 97.6 per cent of urban males reported using a mobile phone during the last three months preceding the date of the survey. Among young females, 95.7 per cent in rural areas and 96.9 per cent in urban areas reported mobile phone use. As part of NSO's strategy of implementing short-duration, focused surveys, CMS-T was conducted at the behest of the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) and the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) between January and March 2025, to generate national-level estimates in support of global reporting requirements. The survey collected data on various aspects of mobile and internet usage at both the household and individual levels. Additionally, it captured information on selected information, communication, and technology (ICT) skills. The sample comprised 2,395 villages and 1,987 urban blocks, covering 34,950 households and 142,065 persons.
Time of India
5 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Starlink expected to launch in India soon: Will come with speed of 700 gigabytes per second, starting price of just Rs 850 per month, and more
Starlink to launch in India: With its high-speed satellite internet services, Elon Musk's Starlink is poised to light up the Indian sky. The stage is prepared for Starlink's India debut, which is anticipated to transform the nation's internet environment after months of anticipation. However, what can Indians anticipate from this state-of-the-art technology? Starlink hopes to close the digital divide, particularly in underserved and rural areas, with its strong bandwidth and low-latency connectivity. Everyone wonders about plans, availability, and pricing as the business prepares to launch its services. To find out what this implies for internet customers in India, let's examine the specifics of Starlink's introduction, features, and pricing. Starlink expected launch timeline for India Elon Musk's long-awaited satellite internet service, Starlink, is anticipated to launch shortly in India. The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has sent the company a Letter of Intent, indicating that the regulatory procedure is well underway, according to a report by NDTV Profit. The official rollout is expected within the next year. Also Read: Elon Musk brings Starlink to Bangladesh before India & Pakistan - Here's how much it costs About Starlink launch in India According to sources, Starlink will launch with bandwidth ranging from 600Gbps to 700Gbps, serving between 30,000 and 50,000 people in a few cities. By 2027, the business intends to increase this to 3Tbps, allowing for wider service coverage throughout India. It is anticipated that Starlink will revolutionize internet access in rural and isolated areas with inadequate traditional broadband infrastructure. Previously underserved locations can now receive high-speed internet thanks to a network of low-Earth orbit satellites. Starlink's expected price in India The Economic Times revealed a leak that suggests monthly subscriptions start at just USD 10 (about Rs 850), while final pricing information is still awaited. This is much less expensive than the current pricing of USD 80 in the US. Unlimited data may also be offered during the launch phase as part of promotional deals to entice early users. Starlink will incur significant regulatory costs despite its aggressive pricing strategy. A monthly fee of Rs 500 per urban user, a revenue share of 4%, an 8% licensing fee, and an annual spectrum fee of Rs 3,500 are all suggested by TRAI. Although they have not yet been approved, these could impact long-term pricing. For its hardware kit in other areas, Starlink charges a one-time cost of USD 349 (about Rs 29,700). The exact price in India is unknown; however, it will be changed to reflect the local market. Starlink has the potential to upend India's internet market with prices as low as Rs 850 and plans to launch nationally. Users in remote areas now face limited connectivity and may particularly benefit from the service. Starlink has the potential to close the digital gap in India and bring about a new era of internet accessibility if it is implemented correctly. B2B deal of Airtel and Jio The business will introduce several subscription plans after concluding business-to-business agreements with Indian ISPs Reliance Jio, Vodafone, and Bharti Airtel. According to the article, Starlink will provide its clients with a DTC model and the basic model routed through ISPs. Stalink's premium offering will be the direct-to-consumer business model. The subscriber will receive a personal ground station under this arrangement, which will cost approximately Rs 50,000.
India Today
6 days ago
- Business
- India Today
Elon Musk's Starlink India launch details revealed: Leaked plan prices, availability and other details
Elon Musk's satellite internet company Starlink is reportedly preparing to launch its services in India, and new details from NDTV suggest the rollout could happen within the next 12 months. The company has already received a Letter of Intent from the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), clearing a major hurdle in the approval process. Here is everything we know about to sources cited by NDTV Profit, Starlink will initially offer internet bandwidth between 600Gbps and 700Gbps. This early phase of launch is expected to support around 30,000 to 50,000 users in select urban locations. Over the next couple of years, the company aims to expand its bandwidth to 3 Tbps by 2027, which could allow it to serve many more users across the country, once all approvals are in the final pricing is yet to be confirmed, a report from Economic Times suggests that Starlink's monthly plans in India could start as low as $10 — roughly Rs 850. The company is also expected to offer unlimited data under its early promotional plans, likely aimed at attracting users quickly and building scale. Even though satellite internet services are expected to be more expensive to operate in India due to regulatory costs, Starlink is said to be planning aggressive pricing to balance the high initial investment. The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has reportedly recommended an additional Rs 500 charge per urban user per month. It has also proposed a 4 per cent revenue charge along with an 8 per cent licensing fee, and a minimum spectrum block charge of Rs 3,500 annually. These recommendations are still awaiting approval from the the expected costs, Starlink may still go ahead with low pricing to cover its expenses through scale. The company hopes to reach up to 10 million users in India in the long run, which would help offset the high spectrum and infrastructure those unfamiliar, Starlink is a satellite-based internet service developed by Elon Musk's space company, SpaceX. It uses a network of low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellites to provide high-speed internet in areas where traditional broadband services are either poor or countries like the US, Starlink currently charges about $80 (nearly Rs 6,800) per month for its residential plans, along with a one-time cost of $349 (around Rs 29,700) for the hardware kit. There are also travel-friendly Roam plans starting at $50 (roughly Rs 4,200), with a separate compact kit for mobile use. If the leaked pricing details for India are accurate, Starlink could become a game-changer in the Indian internet market, especially for users in remote or underserved regions who lack reliable broadband In
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Business Standard
26-05-2025
- Business
- Business Standard
India to play a seminal role in setting 6G protocols by 2027: Scindia
India will play a seminal role in setting the protocols for 6G technology by 2027, when countries meet to define them, Telecom Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia said on Monday. Speaking at the theme launch of the India Mobile Congress (IMC) 2025, set to be held here in October, Scindia said India is already among the top six countries globally in filing 6G patents and aims to contribute at least 10 per cent of global patent filings by 2030. The next World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC) in 2027 will establish the protocols defining the spectrum landscape for 6G, particularly by considering the allocation of specific frequency bands for International Mobile Telecommunications (IMT), or IMT-2030, which will be finalised for 6G. It will also set the standards for the technology. "It is our hope that by then, India will play a seminal role in defining those protocols. We have already filed for two issues which have been accepted—ubiquitous connectivity and equity of connectivity," Scindia said. Satcom plans On the budding satellite communication sector in the country, Scindia said the government has done its part in establishing the policy framework necessary for companies to operate. "Our job is to be able to provide the licence if they have fulfilled all the conditions, which two companies had, and the third company is doing so, and the rules for the spectrum allocation, which now TRAI have come out with. Basis both these things, it depends on the individual companies to define their own path," Scindia said. The third company in question is Elon Musk-owned Starlink, whose application for satellite communication services in India has been cleared by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT). However, it still needs to secure space regulator IN-SPACe's clearance in record time if it wants to roll out signals alongside competitors Airtel-backed Eutelsat OneWeb and Reliance Jio's satellite arm, Jio Space Limited. Both have received the Global Mobile Personal Communication by Satellite (GMPCS) services licence, needed to offer satellite-based broadband services in India. Organised by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) and the Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI), IMC 2025 is expected to attract over 1.5 lakh visitors from 150-plus countries, feature over 400 exhibitors and partners, and more than 7,000 global delegates. The flagship start-up programme, ASPIRE, introduced in 2023, will feature over 500 start-ups and connect them with more than 300 investors, incubators, accelerators and VCs for mentorship, live pitching sessions and networking. IMC, Asia's largest digital technology forum, will also witness 800-plus speakers participating in over 100 conference sessions.
