Reliance Jio

Now you can recharge your Jio number from an ATM near you

The telecom company announced recharge facility at the ATMs of some of the banks.

Airtel, Reliance Jio to continue gaining market share due to Voda Idea's worsened financial health

Airtel and Jio will continue to gain market share due to Voda Idea's worsened financial health, Axis Capital says.

The best prepaid rechange plans under Airtel, Reliance Jio and Vodafone Idea

The three networks have varied plans across price ranges, we've put together the best plans under Rs 700.

Here's where Airtel tops Reliance Jio, Vodafone Idea on some parameters

In terms of service quality of mobile networks, Bharti Airtel has outperformed its rivals, Vodafone Idea and Reliance Jio, in four out of five metrics, according to a study.

Reliance Jio's new yearly plan: All you need to know

Jio has come out with an yearly plan, giving 360 days of validity. Earlier, the telco had withdrwan its Rs 2020 plan and instead brought a Rs 2121 plan with lower validity.

Reliance Jio develops in-house 5G tech to reduce costs

Jio has developed its own 5G and other technologies, to cut costs and reduce dependence on foreign vendors.

Reliance Jio reduces validity of a popular plan

Reliance Jio has recently introduced two new plans priced at Rs 49 and Rs 69 which come with 14 days of validity and offer 2 GB and 7 GB data respectively. Jio has also tweaked its long term Rs 2020 plan which is now priced at Rs 2121 that has a validity of 336 days against 365 days of Rs 2020 plan.

Reliance Jio launches special work-from-home data plan; here are the details

Jio's special work from home plan has 2GB data per day on offer. It is valid for a period of 51 days. A point to note is that this plan only offers customers internet services, and doesn't not provide any call or SMS benefits. Consumers will avail high-speed data up to a total usage limit of 120 GB.

Telcos plan contactless SIM sale to boost customer addition

The country’s top three mobile operators are busy thrashing out a secure but totally contactless digital customer acquisition process to arrest a sharp fall in mobile connections sales amid the Covid-19-induced lockdown.

Reliance Jio user addition in December falls sharply: Trai

Mukesh Ambani-led Jio added a modest 82,308 mobile users, taking its subscriber base past 370 million in December, way below the 9.1 million and 5.6 million customer-adds reported by the company in October and November respectively last year.

Telcos may delay further price hikes under Covid-19 impact: Analysts

“If concerns around Covid-19 lead to material impact on consumers’ ability to spend (especially daily wage laborers), then we see risks of tariff hikes being pushed back and magnitude being lower,” brokerage firm BofA Global Research said in a report.

Telcos plan ‘Cells on Wheels’ to ramp up internet services

Bharti Airtel, Vodafone Idea and Reliance Jio Infocomm may roll out ‘cells on wheels’ (CoWs) to ease network congestion amid an upsurge in home internet and video services consumption because of lockdowns.

Amid coronavirus scare, Jio may opt for multiple vendors

Such a move would be a more pragmatic way for Reliance Jio to overcome any potential gear procurement constraints.

Airtel urges rivals to unite for better internet service

“It’s of paramount importance that at this crucial juncture we come together as an industry to serve the nation and prepare ourselves for any kind of exigency,” Airtel wrote in a letter to Jio, Vodafone, BSNL and MTNL on Monday. Airtel has assigned chief technology officer Randeep Sekhon as points-person to coordinate efforts regarding this.

Reliance Jio doesn't have a single Chinese component, Mukesh Ambani tells Donald Trump

Washington in the past has put pressure on New Delhi to keep China's Huawei out of the India's 5G deployments. The Indian government, however, has allowed Huawei and ZTE, another Chinese company, to participate in 5G trials. New Delhi will take a separate call on allowing Huawei to participate in the commercial deployments of the next generation technoligy in India.

DoT holds meeting as industry seeks movement of essential staff, other waivers for business continuity

Representatives from industry bodies like COAI and Tower and Infrastructure Providers Association (TAIPA) as well as telecom operators like Bharti Airtel, Vodafone Idea, Reliance Jio and state-owned telcos attended the meeting called by senior telecom department officials.

Jio tops mobile broadband speed chart, Vodafone in upload in February: Trai

According to the latest report, Jio pipped its nearest rivals Bharti Airtel and Vodafone who recorded an average download speed of 8 mbps in February.

Reliance Jio builds in-house 5G, IoT; replaces Nokia, Oracle tech to reduce dependence on foreign gear

The Mukesh Ambani-owned company has replaced Nokia’s and Oracle’s 4G voice technology with its own, a senior company executive said. The move is perhaps a global first, analysts said, where a mobile phone company has developed in-house technology to replace third-party equipment vendors.

SC's AGR ruling: India headed for a duopoly in telecom sector, say analysts

Stating that the AGR issue "could create a duopoly structure," Morgan Stanley said: "The Supreme Court has not relented on the AGR dues, which makes matters worse for VIL. Airtel and RJio are well-placed thanks to strong balance sheets and could gain market share."

Reliance Jio launches Rs 49, Rs 69 prepaid plans. Check details here

Last week, Reliance Jio had announcd a long-term plan of Rs 2121. With validity of 336 days, it is Jio's costliest plan yet and offers 504 GB of data. It offers unlimited calls to Jio numbers, complimentary access to Jio apps, unlimited SMS (100 per day), and 12000 minutes of calling to non-Jio numbers.

Vodafone Idea promoters may infuse $1.5 billion in telco if AGR dues are cut

A combination of reduced AGR dues and easier repayment terms on the back of recent tariff hikes, brokerage CLSA said, could send growth revival signals and encourage VIL’s promoters to reassess their stance of ‘no equity infusion’ to bolster the struggling telco’s financial position for competing more effectively with Bharti Airtel and Reliance Jio Infocomm.

Covid-19 outbreak may be a silver lining for telcos

Cos’ work from home initiative likely to boost data usage, push demand for home broadband, VPN

If you think you've heard the last of the AGR dispute, think again

The Department of Telecom's calculations put Bharti Airtel's dues at Rs 37,700 crore and Vodafone Idea's dues at Rs 53,000 crore, but both operators believe their dues are almost half of what the DoT claims.

Jio arms itself with own cutting-edge tech, telecom could be in for another reset

Till now, Jio has been depending upon 4G voice technology supplied by Oracle and Nokia. According to a company exec, Jio has already replaced Orclae and Nokia techs with its own in an effort to cut reliance on foreign third-party suppliers.

Reliance Communications files resolution plan with NCLT

“RCom in accordance with the stipulations contained in Regulation 30 of the SEBI ....hereby informs ...that resolution professional of RCom has duly filed the resolution plan as approved by the CoC with the... NCLT, Mumbai Bench on March 6, 2020 in accordance with Section 30(6) of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016,” said the company.

Fix tariff or be prepared for monopoly: Vodafone Idea

Vodafone Idea flagged the "deep financial distress" in the telecom sector, reflecting in unprecedented decline in revenues. Over the last three years, half a dozen operators have exited by either merging their businesses with existing Telecom Service Providers (TSPs) or declaring bankruptcy, Vodafone Idea Ltd (VIL) rued.

Telcos seek floor price for data for 2-3 years, oppose any ceiling

While Airtel and Vodafone Idea want a cost-based methodology to arrive at a floor, Jio said that it must be determined on headline tariffs rather than realised tariffs. Bharti Airtel recommends fixing a floor for data services for two years by three possible approaches. Reliance Jio said that tariffs must not be hiked abruptly as it may dampen usage considerably.

Telcos pay Rs 8,000 Cr to DoT, Vodafone Idea coughs up Rs 3k Cr

The Department of Telecommunications received about Rs 8,000 crore from telcos, with Vodafone Idea (VIL), Bharti Airtel and Reliance Jio paying for airwaves bought in the 2014 auctions, and Tata Teleservices paying Rs 2,000 crore towards adjusted gross revenue (AGR) dues.

Airtel pays Rs 1,950 cr to DoT towards deferred spectrum dues; Jio pays Rs 1,053 cr: Sources

Sources said that while Bharti Airtel has made payment of Rs 1,950 crore to the Department of Telecommunications towards deferred spectrum dues, Reliance Jio has paid Rs 1,053 crore. Vodafone Idea too paid about Rs 3,043 crore towards deferred spectrum dues, as per the sources.

Free voice calls no excuse for poor service quality, says Trai chief

The comments come amid continuing call drops being experienced by subscribers across the country.

Reliance Jio launches voice over WiFi calling service

Reliance Jio has rolled out voice over WiFi (VoWiFi) calling service for its subscribers in multiple circles, including Delhi-NCR and Chennai, following a limited launch by Airtel in December 2019.

Tata Tele pays Rs 2,197 crore as AGR dues

"Tata Teleservices Limited (TTSL) and Tata Teleservices (Maharashtra) Limited (TTML) have made a payment of Rs. 2,197 crore to the DoT towards License Fees and Spectrum Usage Charges," the company said. According to the government, TTSL owes Rs 13,823 crores as license fee, spectrum usage charge along with interest, penalties and interest on penalties.

RIL gains 15% amid reports of Facebook looking to buy 10% stake in Reliance Jio

Kotak Institutional Equities said that Facebook’s reported interest may be driven to enhance addressable opportunity in its largest market in terms of subscriber base.

AGR dues: Reliance Jio meets Supreme Court deadline, Airtel seeks time

The Mukesh Ambani led telco’s dues are a fraction of what its rivals - Vod Idea and Airtel - have to pay.

5G Trials: DoT to meet telcos, vendors

The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) will hold a meeting on February 20 with telecom operators and telecom equipment vendors to discuss a road map for 5G field trials in the country.

Reliance Jio increases tariffs by up to 40%

The Mukesh Ambani-led Jio, which had started a tariff battle in the sector with its entry in 2016, has increased its headline price plans for the first time since its launch. Its two older rivals had raised their prices earlier this week, also by about 40%.

All about Reliance Jio's new ‘2020 Happy New Year Offer'

Reliance Jio’s ‘2020 Happy New Year Offer’ is available for both smartphone and JioPhone customers. For smartphone users, Jio is offering unlimited voice, 1.5GB daily data, SMS, and access to Jio apps. The validity of the scheme is 365 days.

Service tax, GST added to AGR dues

Carriers including Bharti Airtel and Vodafone Idea, along with Tata Teleservices, Telenor, Aircel and Reliance Communications, have to pay Rs 1.47 lakh crore to the government at the earliest, after the Supreme Court came down heavily on the companies for not paying by the deadline it had imposed.

Bharti Airtel faces high costs, isolation if Vodafone Idea exits

An unbargained-for situation awaits Airtel, contrary to the widespread view that Voda Idea's fall will aid it.

Telecom companies reject regulator’s claim on 5G base price

The tussle between the regulator and operators, weighed by huge debt and facing new adjusted gross revenue dues, over base price has been on since telcos said they cannot buy airwaves at Trai's given prices.

DoT amends licenses to defer spectrum dues payment

"The licensee may opt to defer the spectrum auction instalment due for 2020-21 and 2021-22, either for one or both years. The deferred amount will be equally spread over the remaining instalments to be paid, without any increase in the time specified for making the instalment payments. Interest shall be charged to protect the NPV of the payable amount," DoT said.

Reliance Jio to raise prices in few weeks

Jio said that it will raise tariffs in next few weeks, following steps of its competitors Airtel & Voda Idea.

Telecom companies on edge after government's revenue estimate fails to add up

For a sector nervous over the coming AGR blow, Sitharaman's Budget has obfuscated matters even more.

Tariff revision: Experts expect Reliance Jio to gain most from hikes

The Mukesh Ambani-owned telco yesterday unveiled revised tariffs, which were as much as 40% costlier.

No more free fiber: Reliance Jio starts billing home broadband users

New customers are now being billed, and old customers have been told to choose one pack or another.

Reliance Jio to raise tariffs by 40% from December 6

After Vodafone Idea and Bharti Airtel, Reliance Jio too has announced to hike its tariffs by about 40 per cent.

Reliance Jio may have to bear some of RCom’s AGR dues

Jio's dues will need to pay will include those on RCom’s spectrum that was part of the 2016 trading deal.

NCLAT dismisses I-T dept plea against Reliance Jio on demerger of tower, fiber units

The Ahmedabad-bench of National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) had earlier this year granted permission to the composite scheme of arrangement, through which two companies were proposed to be demerged -- Jio Digital Fibre Pvt Ltd and Reliance Jio Infratel Pvt Ltd. This was opposed by the IT department by challenging it before the NCLAT.

Jio gains largest subscriber base on account of Voda Idea loss: Ind-Ra

Reliance Jio has become the largest telecom player with 36.9 crore mobile subscribers in November 2019, according to the data published by telecom regulator Trai this month.

PIL against DoT call not to penalise telcos is mala fide

Crying Foul After consumer group accuses Vodafone Idea and Bharti Airtel of wilfully disobeying SC orders, with COAI playing a part, COAI says petition is only looking to create problems. Airtel and Voda Idea have missed the Jan 23 deadline to pay dues to the government based on an expanded definition of adjusted gross revenue, as ordered by top court.

How Reliance Jio dodged the AGR bullet

View: A $21 billion telecom war comes down to just $2

New Delhi wants nearly $21 billion in back license fees and spectrum usage charges, including penalties, interest.

Reliance Jio says its rates still cheapest despite Airtel, Vodafone Idea move to remove offnet call limits

While Airtel and VIL raised their prices by 40%, Jio came out with a revised plan few days later but up to 25% lesser.

Reliance Jio announces Diwali offer

Under the Diwali offer, the teleco is offering its JioPhone for just Rs 700 along with benefits of Rs 700

Telcos file 5G trial applications

Both Vodafone Idea and Airtel have submitted their applications with Ericsson, Nokia, Huawei and ZTE, while Reliance Jio has submitted an application for trial with Korea’s Samsung, which is also the sole gear vendor for its pan-India 4G network. State-run telco BSNL, on the other hand, has submitted the application with ZTE only for trials.

Airtel, Jio, Voda Idea submit applications for 5G trials; Huawei partners with 2 telcos

Last month, Telecom Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad had said the government will allocate airwaves to all telecom service providers for conducting trials of super-fast speed 5G network. India will not bar any equipment suppliers in the upcoming trials for 5G.

Lenders may net Rs 20,000 crore: Jio, UV Asset Recast Co top bidders for RCom assets

Bankers have named Jio as the preferred bidder for the tower and fibre assets housed in Reliance Infratel, while UVARCL will acquire the spectrum of RCom and its subsidiary Reliance Telecom. The combined offer from UVARCL and Jio is higher than the offer from Bharti Airtel — which had an NPV of Rs 8,500 crore.

Fewer users port out as telcos offer similar tariffs, quality

The reduction in mobile number portability (MNP) is good news for telcos since it means they have to invest less in trying to retain existing customers, said industry executives and analysts. MNP fell to 4.1 million in October last year from 5.4 million in the previous month, and the MNP churn rate dipped to 0.3% from 0.5% in September.

'Airtel, Vodafone Idea shedding crocodile tears': Reliance Jio to COAI

Billionaire Mukesh Ambani's Reliance Jio on Wednesday slammed telecom industry body COAI for its "threatening and blackmailing" tone in its communication to the government on non-existent crisis in the sector following the Supreme Court ruling on payment of statutory dues. Jio said it disagrees with the "threatening and blackmailing tone" of COAI and accused the older operators of not investing sufficiently in the sector and "shedding crocodile tears" by claiming financial stress.'Airtel, Vodafone Idea shedding crocodile tears': Reliance Jio to COAI

Reliance Jio plans could be 20 per cent cheaper than other telcos: Report

Even with a tariff hike of 40%, Jio would be cheaper by 15-20% than its rivals, analysts firms say.

Reliance Jio likely to bag Reliance Infra's mobile tower, optical fibre for Rs 3,600 crore

Reliance Communications, which is undergoing insolvency proceedings, has put all its assets for sale, which include spectrum holding of 122 MHz that the company before insolvency proceedings estimated to be around Rs 14,000 crore, tower business worth Rs 7,000 crore, optical fibre network worth Rs 3,000 crore and data centres worth Rs 4,000 crore.

All or nothing? It's Hobson's choice for Anil Ambani's lenders

The bids have offered very little upfront cash or are unworkable in the current form, said bankers.

Reliance Jio announces new tariff plans for JioPhone users

The company, which had earlier issued special plans for smartphone users, has come out with four new monthly plans in the range of Rs 75 to 185 with 500 minutes of talk time for calls made to other networks.

China hails India’s decision on Huawei

The decision will enable India to test the promise made by China that it will not open back doors.

JioPhone Diwali offer drives subscriber growth for Jio in October: Analysts

Morgan Stanley in its analysis based on Telecom Regulatory Authority of India’s (TRAI) data said that Jio’s monthly wireless broadband subscriber additions of 9.1mn in October were higher than its monthly addition run rate of 8mn in H1F20, primarily aided by JioPhone Diwali offer.

Questions for 2020: Telecom becomes a duopoly?

The answer is yes, if Vodafone Idea doesn’t get relief on its AGR dues from the government or judiciary. Especially as there has been a steady fall in the company’s customer and revenue shares amid lower comparative 4G capex spends.

After Airtel & Voda-Idea, Reliance Jio to hike mobile tariffs in few weeks

Reliance Jio Tuesday said that it will raise tariffs in the next few weeks, following the steps of its competitors Bharti Airtel and Vodafone Idea, in a move that will help the industry in revenue recovery after years of a price war.After Airtel & Voda-Idea, Reliance Jio to hike mobile tariffs in few weeks

Any relief to non-telecom firms on AGR dues can only come from SC: DoT source

The DoT is currently "examining" the replies given by the state-owned non-telecom corporations on AGR dues.

Shares of Bharti Airtel down 0.81% in early trade

The stock quoted a 52-week high of Rs 566.7 and a 52-week low of Rs 264.29.

To add user nos, telcos weigh sale of contactless SIMs

The country's top operators are busy thrashing out a secure, but totally contactless digital customer acquisition process, to arrest a sharp fall in connections sales.

TRAI moves may help lift fortunes of Voda Idea, Airtel, say analysts

The recent Supreme Court verdict adversely hit Vodafone Idea and Airtel, which backed the government’s wider definition of adjusted gross revenue (AGR), and face statutory dues of Rs 53,039 cr and Rs 35,586 cr respectively. They need to pay up in just over a month from now.

Telecom industry needs some sanity and orderliness: Sunil Mittal

Bharti Airtel chairman Sunil Mittal, welcomes TRAI’s move to begin discussions on setting a floor price for data and voice tariffs, adding he hopes for a 'legal' relief. Even experts say regulatory steps will be of much help to telcos. Airtel, Vodafone Idea and Reliance Jio have sought a floor for data tariffs, but don't want voice to be regulated.

Reliance Communications bidders add tough riders

Bankers said the experience in RCom resolution makes lending to telecom companies more and more difficult in the future because there is no guarantee of recovery. Banks will now have to think twice before lending to these companies or we have to take 100% loan loss provisions. This case is a test for lending to telecom companies and will lead to banks learning many lessons.

Ringer row: Reliance Jio increases ring time to 25 seconds

Ahead of the decision by Trai, Jio increases ring time for outgoing calls to 25 seconds from 20 seconds.

Jio likely to remain market leader for next 2 years despite tariff hike, say analysts

Brokerage CLSA said Jio’s 28-day and 84-day prepaid plans, offering 1.5 GB of data a day are 20% and 7% cheaper than Bharti Airtel and Vodafone Idea’s latest comparable offerings. Centrum backed the view, saying Jio’s plans across price-points remained the most attractive despite material increases in the tariff plans.

COAI urges TRAI to consider online open house discussion on "pressing" floor price issue

"The bulk of responses have already come in through written comments, and additional inputs, if any, can be given via suitable alternates like an online or electronic open house forum, in case TRAI wants. Floor price is a pressing need of the industry," COAI Director General, Rajan Mathews said.

COAI does u-turn, says no need for more spectrum to tackle Covid-led demand

The comments come on the back of an ET report which cited government officials as saying that mobile internet usage increase is not as high as what the telcos were claiming them to be. Telcos had sought additional airwaves to cater to the surge in demand.

Airtel, Reliance Jio in fresh spat over ringer time

Airtel alleged that "one large 4G-only operator" has slashed ring time for outgoing calls to other networks.

Big chunk of users seen switching to Reliance Jio

In the April-June quarter, Vodafone Idea had reported a 4.3% sequential fall in revenue, which dipped below Jio's for the first time.

Waiving charges for low-end users to hit telcos' revenue

Telcos could each take a 1-1.5% one-time hit on revenue if they waive call charges for migrant labourer users.

TRAI rejects telcos' call for online talks on floor tariff

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) has rejected telcos' call to hold open house discussions (OHD) on floor pricing of services through an online mechanism amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

Coronavirus outbreak will set back India’s growth recovery

Government estimates up to 50-bps hit in FY21, economists see deeper impact caused by the coronavirus outbreak.

Vodafone Idea prepaid packs now offer two times more data than similary priced Jio, Airtel plans

Jio currently has three similar plans: Rs 199 with 28 days validity, Rs 399 with 56 days validity and Rs 555 plan with 84 days validity. Though priced slightly lower, all these plans offer 1.5 GB data per day only. Airtel on the other hand offers Rs 249, Rs 279, Rs 399 and Rs 598 plans that offer 1.5 GB data per day along with unlimited calls and 100 SMS per day.

Telcos may consider waiving off 1-month charge to aid migrant labourers: COAI

Rajan Mathews, director general of the Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI), which represents Jio, Airtel and Vodafone Idea, said the telcos “were likely to consider the request” as they have always put the interest of their customers first.

Mukesh Ambani wants to make Reliance Jio "virtually net debt free" by March 31, 2020

Reliance Industries Ltd (RIL) on Friday said it will set up a new subsidiary to bring all its digital initiatives and apps under a single entity, and infuse Rs 1.08 lakh crore equity into this new unit. The new structure is similar to those adopted by tech titans globally, and will offer a compelling investment proposition to strategic and financial investors, many of whom have evinced strong interest in partnership, the company said in a statement, adding that this will also create the largest digital services platform company in India.Mukesh Ambani wants to make Reliance Jio "virtually net debt free" by March 31, 2020

Reliance Jio tops 4G download speed chart again with 21.0 Mbps speed in September: Trai

Vodafone’s 4G download speed dipped considerable from 7.7 Mbps in August to 6.9 Mbps in September. Idea’s speed on the other hand witnessed marginal improvement in the same duration from 6.1 Mbps to 6.4 Mbps.

Telcos to opt for EMI moratorium; tariff to remain stable: COAI

Debt-ridden Vodafone Idea has proposed that the minimum price of data should be fixed at Rs 35 per GB, Bharti Airtel has proposed minimum price of Rs 30 per GB for low data users and Reliance Jio wants it to be hiked gradually to Rs 20 per GB.

Amid coronavirus outbreak, RBI loan breather for telcos

Experts though have called on the government to consider a three-month moratorium on operators’ revenue-share commitments for the April-June quarter FY21, which would be more significant relief for the debt-laden telecom sector that is currently reeling under the impact of the adjusted gross revenue (AGR) payments crisis.

Airtel, Vodafone and Jio: Here's how much you will end up paying

​Airtel and Vodafone Idea have ended their Rs 169 and 199 plans that offer 1GB and 1.5GB data per day, respectively, for 28 days. Airtel will provide access to its premium content on Airtel Xtream.

Reliance Jio adds 8.4 million users in August; Airtel, Voda Idea lose: Trai

Bharti Airtel lost more than 5 lakh subscribers, which dragged its overall subscriber base to 327 million. Vodafone Idea lost over 4.9 million subscribers, pulling down its total subscriber base to 375 million in August.

Jio withdraws low-value prepaid packs; Rs 98 is now the starting recharge voucher

Telco’s bundled recharge packs now start at Rs 98, Rs 19, Rs 52 plans removed after IUC recovery bid

DoT suspends radiation, subscriber audit; telcos seek suspension till lockdown ends

In a letter dated March 23, the Department of Telecommunication (DoT) had said, “Due to unforeseen situation in wake of COVID-19, it has been decided that the audit process conducted by LSA field units in respect of EMR (electromagnetic radiation) and CAF (subscriber verification) shall be kept in abeyance till 31.03.2020.”

Telcos set up war rooms to monitor networks during Covid-19 crisis

The three private telcos have obtained approvals from the DoT to ensure critical workers manning their NoCs – the brains of any mobile communications network – can freely travel amid the pandemic-induced countrywide lockdowns to resolve network-related glitches at a time when bulk of corporate staff across India is working from home.

Low tariff regime over, telcos up rates by 40-50%

The honeymoon for telecom subscribers seems to have come to an end as all the three private telecom players -- Vodafone Idea, Bharti Airtel and Jio -- on Sunday announced pre-paid tariff plans with 40-50 per cent higher rates.Low tariff regime over, telcos up rates by 40-50%

DoT focuses on Covid, AGR on backburner for now

“There have been no notices sent to telcos on their AGR payments or any discussions on it. Now, the focus of the Department of Telecommunications is on how to ensure smooth running of operations during the coronavirus pandemic,” said a government official who did not want to be identified.

Want 2GB data per day for your work from home requirements. Here are the plans from Jio, Airtel and Vodafone Idea

Reliance Jio's special work from home plan has 2GB data/day on offer. It is valid for a period of 51 days.

Telcos suggest free access to critical sites

According to senior executives in the sector, letters were sent to the DoT and Trai on Saturday. “Telcos do not want customers getting charged for accessing necessary sites, including government ones or banking sites until restrictions to prevent Covid-19 are lifted,” said a senior telecom executive, who did not wish to be identified.

Airtel dials Jio, BSNL, MTNL for roaming pacts, non-stop coverage

“It is of paramount importance that at this crucial juncture, we come together as an industry to serve the nation and prepare ourselves for any kind of exigency,” Bharti Airtel said in a joint letter to Jio, Vodafone Idea, BSNL and MTNL on Monday. Airtel said such an exercise would be particularly relevant, where a site is shut or where the TSP is not able to manage the up-time.

Revenue from international roaming expected to fall due to global travel restrictions

With both India Inc and personal holiday goers also likely to postpone international travel in the summer due to the pandemic, telcos will be faced with a further drop in revenue from international roaming, which was a key component of high-tariff customers.