India’s telecom service providers face an uphill battle in their quest for relief from levies on adjusted gross revenue (AGR). Despite pleas for reduction or removal of license and USO fees, the Union Finance Ministry remains hesitant due to concerns over potential revenue loss. This decision could stifle investment and innovation in the sector, with experts arguing for a more rational approach to ensure a robust telecom infrastructure.
Telecom operators have requested a two-month extension from the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) to implement new guidelines aimed at enhancing message security. These guidelines, set to take effect on November 1, require telemarketers and Principal Entities (PEs) to track all messages sent to customers, including vital one-time passwords (OTPs) for online transactions. Concerns have been raised about potential disruptions to crucial services like online payments and delivery, due to the lack of necessary technology among PEs and telemarketers to comply with the new regulations.
Reliance Jio, India’s largest telecom operator, plans to export its high-speed fixed wireless access (FWA) internet technology as a managed service, rather than directly entering overseas markets as a telecom provider. With nearly 1 million 5G sites deployed across India, Jio sees FWA as a key growth area for 5G, both domestically and globally. The company aims to provide FWA technology to other market players, leveraging its expertise in large-scale, high-volume, and cost-effective infrastructure development.
Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd (BSNL), India’s fourth-largest telecom company, has declared it will not raise tariffs, despite its competitors increasing prices. Instead, BSNL will focus on improving its service quality and launching new services to retain the customers it gained from rivals in the past quarter. This includes a new 4G stack that can be migrated to 5G, spam protection, automated SIM kiosks, and direct-to-device connectivity, among other offerings. BSNL also announced plans for a nationwide 4G rollout and private 5G services for various sectors.
Verizon Communications (VZ) is set to release its Q3 earnings report on Tuesday, offering insights into the telecom giant’s performance, particularly its bundling strategies, spectrum investments, and job cuts. Analysts expect solid revenue growth, but investors are keen to see how Verizon is faring against competitors like AT&T and T-Mobile. The report is also likely to have a significant impact on the Dow Jones Industrial Average, where Verizon is a key component.
AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile are set to release earnings this week, with investors closely watching for key metrics like subscriber growth and network investments. Analyst expectations and recent company developments suggest a mixed bag of results.
Nokia’s shares are on the rise ahead of their earnings report as they’re in exclusive negotiations with Bharti Airtel for a multi-billion-dollar 5G contract in India. However, Airtel is also in talks with Samsung, introducing uncertainty and potential risks for Nokia’s investors.
Nokia is set to release its latest quarterly earnings report on Thursday, October 17th. Analysts anticipate an earnings per share (EPS) of $0.08, and investors are eager to hear if the company will exceed expectations and provide positive guidance. This article dives into the key factors investors should consider before the announcement, including Nokia’s historical performance, analyst sentiment, and a comparative analysis of its peers.
Nokia is in advanced talks with Bharti Airtel to secure a substantial contract for providing 5G telecom equipment, aiming to capitalize on the Indian mobile operator’s network expansion. This potential deal comes amidst slowing demand in India after a surge last year and follows Ericsson’s successful multi-billion dollar contract with Airtel. The agreement would involve Nokia’s latest technology, Air Scale mobile radios, supporting 5G-Advanced and reducing energy costs.
The Supreme Court has dismissed curative petitions filed by Vodafone Idea and other telecom companies, upholding its 2019 ruling on Adjusted Gross Revenue (AGR) calculations. This decision throws Vodafone Idea deeper into financial crisis, while Airtel sees a slight boost. The court’s refusal to reconsider the AGR calculation method will likely further burden Vodafone Idea, which is already struggling to meet its financial obligations and improve its services.
