Ericsson is intensifying its R&D efforts in India, zeroing in on network APIs. Partnering with telecom giants, Ericsson is unlocking 5G’s potential through programmable networks, enhancing performance, and enabling new performance-based business models.
Vodafone Idea is set to launch commercial 5G services by March 2025, entering the competitive field amidst Bharti Airtel and Reliance Jio’s services started in 2022. Targeting 17 of India’s 22 telecom circles, Vi’s strategic approach involves upgrading 75,000 4G sites..
Indian operator Bharti Airtel has significantly expanded its 5G network to encompass 140,000 villages across India. This initiative highlights Airtel’s commitment to enhancing digital connectivity in rural areas. Already covering 800,000 villages with its 4G network, Airtel’s expansion accelerates their mission of providing high-speed internet across India, supported by both 4G and 5G technologies.
India’s recent 5G spectrum auction concluded with disappointing results, generating significantly less revenue than anticipated. The auction ended after only seven rounds, raising INR113 billion ($1.35 billion), a stark contrast to the INR960 billion ($11.49 billion) reserve price set by the government.
Reports this week indicate that the Indian government is expected to postpone spectrum allocations for satellite broadband providers by four to six months, awaiting clarity following the ongoing general elections. The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) is reportedly holding off on final decisions until after the election results are announced on June 4.
LogRhythm, the company helping security teams stop breaches by turning disconnected data and signals into trustworthy insights, expands its presence in India with a dedicated 24/7 support center for eligible customers and launch of its leading cloud-native security information and event management (SIEM) platform, LogRhythm Axon. The strategic expansion enables Indian organizations across industry verticals to enhance their cybersecurity maturity as global cyberthreats become more sophisticated and diverse.
In an ambitious move, the Indian government has announced its plans to hold a mobile spectrum auction in May, eyeing a starting bid of nearly US$12 billion. Despite the high hopes tied to this event, experts remain skeptical about its success, given the tepid interest expected from the country’s telecom operators.
OneWeb, a Eutelsat entity, gained India’s coveted regulatory endorsement to usher in its satellite broadband service, evoking enthusiastic response from Eutelsat’s co-chair, Sunil Bharti Mittal. This development signifies a new era for India’s internet coverage in line with the Prime Minister’s digital vision. However, a crucial spectrum allocation by the government awaits, making OneWeb’s journey not entirely smooth sailing. An array of procedural and regulatory hurdles demands navigation, alongside competing market perspectives delaying the process.
Reliance Jio’s introduction of JioSpaceFiber, a satellite broadband service, has rocked the telecom landscape. Offering gigabit speed connectivity even in remote Indian locations, this innovation brings affordable online engagement to all. Leveraging SES’ medium Earth orbit satellites, the joint venture holds the potential to transform India’s digital reach. Yet, this ambition is not without competition.
The US and India strengthen their strategic partnership, focusing on 6G research, Open RAN, and semiconductors, while collaborating on technology sharing, co-development, and co-production opportunities between industry, government, and academia.
