Business
Government of India approve an 26000 crores for installation of 5G network tower in 500 days
The government has approved Rs 26,000 crore to install 25,000 mobile towers over the next 500 days, Communications Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said at the Digital India Conference of State IT Ministers at the India Mobile Congress. Through this, the government aims to provide last-mile internet connectivity to the far flung areas.
The project will be implemented by state-owned Bharat Broadband Network Ltd, which was recently merged into the Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd. The cost of the project will be born out of the Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF), which has a balance of Rs 59,736 crore as of August end. USOF is a fund set up by the government to provide internet connectivity to rural and far flung areas.
The state-run telecom operator is expected to launch its 4G services in November now and then target to cover pan-India with 4G in next 18 months. Simultaneously, the company is also targeting to launch 5G services by August 2023, as recently announced by telecom minister Ashwini Vaishnaw.
Recently, the government also approved a Rs 1.64 trillion revival package from BSNL. The revival package will help BSNL to fasten rollout of its 4G network, de-stress its balance sheet, and improve network services, among other things.
“The current approval to install 25,000 towers is in addition to the BSNL revival package and the expenses will be covered through USOF,” the official said.
The telecom operators, however, may not be in favour of the government giving BSNL additional incentives above the revival package.
“If this 25,000 is over and above the BSNL bailout package announced recently then it is more harming as it is against the level playing field,” an executive from a telecom company said, adding that BSNL has been given USOF related rollout without going for the tendering process.
“Denying the telecom service providers to bid is against the spirit of USOF as bidding would have resulted in best price to government and lower the government’s cost overall,” the telecom company executive said.
Currently, telecom operators pay 8% of their adjusted gross revenue as license fee. Of this 5% goes into the universal service obligation fund (USOF) and balance 3% to the exchequer.
As of August 31, about 47% of USOF is unutilised, and telecom operators want the government to either reduce or remove this levy till the funds are fully utilised.
Business
Mumbai: Social Activist Demands Action Against Police Officers For Negligence In Torres Multi-Crore Scam Investigation
Mumbai: In a serious development concerning Torres massive financial fraud case, a Social Activist Shashikant Kawale has called for action against police officers who allegedly neglected their duty despite receiving prior warnings about fraudulent activities.
Social Activist Shashikant Kawale wrote a letter addressed to senior law enforcement authorities, including the Commissioners of Mumbai and Navi Mumbai Police, the Maharashtra Cyber Crime Department, the Economic Offences Wing, and the Enforcement Directorate, has raised serious questions about the delay in action against fraudulent companies operating in Mumbai and surrounding areas. The letter highlights gross negligence by responsible officers despite early warnings regarding Torres Scam.
Whistle Blower Flags Concerns
The Whistle blower Shashikant Kawale had previously flagged concerns, urging the authorities to investigate the legality of these companies’ operations, government-issued licenses, mandates, board of directors, and operational documents. Specifically, the letter called for a detailed probe into the working methods and financial inflows/outflows of the company, Records of investors and agents involved and The suspiciously high monthly returns promised by the Torres Company.
About The Allegations
The letter alleges that had an inquiry been launched promptly, it would have prevented many investors from falling prey to false promises, sparing them from financial devastation. Despite explicit warnings that the companies were preparing to flee after defrauding investors, no significant action was taken.
The Social Activist Kawale has demanded an inquiry into officers who failed to act on the provided information, urging that those found guilty be held accountable under applicable regulations. The letter further appeals for systemic reforms to prevent the recurrence of such incidents.A social activist from Dharavi, Shashikant Kavale, first raised red flags in November last year and approached the Shivaji Park police and EOW, highlighting Torres’ dubious practices.
Business
JSW MG Motor India Unveils Cyberster Roadster & M9 Limousine At Bharat Mobility Expo 2025
New Delhi: MG Motor India has made a bold statement at the Bharat Mobility Global Expo 2025 with the launch of two groundbreaking electric vehicles—the MG Cyberster, India’s first all-electric roadster, and the MG M9, India’s first electric three-row presidential limousine.
These models, introduced under the new luxury brand channel, MG Select, highlight the company’s vision of bringing intelligent, sustainable, and customer-focused mobility solutions to India.
MG Cyberster: The All-Electric Roadster of the Future
The MG Cyberster takes luxury and performance to new heights as India’s first electric roadster. It features India’s first-ever electric scissor doors, opening and closing in just five seconds via a single-touch button. The built-in Dual Radar sensors ensure safety while opening the doors, while an anti-pinch feature prevents harm when closing.
Under the hood, the Cyberster delivers blistering acceleration, going from 0 to 100 kmph in just 3.2 seconds. The sleek, aerodynamic design is complemented by the industry’s slimmest 77 kWh battery pack, ensuring the vehicle remains both powerful and efficient, setting a new standard for modern roadsters.
MG M9: The Ultimate Electric Limousine
The MG M9 takes luxury to the next level with India’s first electric three-row presidential limousine. Designed for ultimate comfort, it features a touchscreen armrest for controlling reclining ottoman seats with 8 massage modes and 3-zone climate control.
The spacious cabin can accommodate seven passengers and offers features like a panoramic sunroof, front-opening skylight, and advanced audio systems for a theatre-like experience. With an electric-powered design, the MG M9 redefines the concept of luxury on wheels, offering unparalleled comfort and performance for discerning customers.
Business
Internet users to surpass 900 million in India this year, AI a game changer
New Delhi, Jan 16: Driven by the growing use of Indic languages for digital content, the internet user base in India is set to surpass 900 million by 2025, driven by the growing use of Indic languages for digital content, a report showed on Thursday.
The number of active internet users in India reached 886 million in 2024, marking a robust 8 per cent year-on-year growth. Rural India, with 488 million users, leads this growth and now accounts for 55 per cent of the total internet population, according to the report by the Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI) and Kantar.
Nearly all internet users (98 per cent) accessed content in Indic languages, with Tamil, Telugu, and Malayalam emerging as the most popular due to their extensive availability.
Over half (57 per cent) of urban internet users prefer consuming content in regional languages, underscoring the growing demand for local language content across platforms, according to the report.
AI has emerged as a significant game changer over the past year. Nine out of 10 internet users have interacted with apps featuring embedded AI capabilities.
“The widespread acceptance and enthusiasm surrounding AI should encourage digital companies to introduce more next-generation AI features in India,” Biswapriya Bhattacharya, Director, B2B and Technology, Kantar Insights–South Asia, said.
The digital gender gap in India is steadily narrowing, with 47 per cent of all internet users in the country being women — so far the highest.
Female internet users now form a significant portion of shared device users in rural India at 58 per cent. This marks substantial progress in making digital access more inclusive and equitable over the years, the report noted.
Rural India dominates online engagement for top activities, including OTT video and music streaming, online communication, and social media usage, outpacing urban users in these categories.
Urban India leads in the adoption of non-traditional devices such as smart TVs and smart speakers, which have grown by 54 per cent between 2023 and 2024.
Concurrently, mobile devices remain the primary means of accessing the internet across both urban and rural demographics, said the report.
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