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India set for 5G spectrum auction, Reliance Jio, Bharti Airtel lead the race

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With the mega 5G spectrum auction (worth Rs 1.9 lakh crore) beginning from Tuesday amid the tussle over captive private 5G networks, Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel are set to boost their market share as India prepares for a 5G era.

The four big players in the race — Reliance Jio, Bharti Airtel, Vodafone Idea and Adani group — having submitted a combined Rs 21,400 core in earnest money deposit (EMD), are ready with their war chests and strategies for the mega bid, that is likely to be around Rs 1.5 lakh crore if the last two auctions are kept in mind.

Reliance Jio Infocomm has submitted an EMD of Rs 14,000 while Bharti Airtel has put in Rs 5,500 crore.

In the 2021 auctions for 4G spectrum, Reliance Jio used 77.9 per cent of their earnest money deposit while Airtel used 87.7 per cent.

The 5G era will open 10 times faster than 4G and 30 times faster than 3G, allowing millions to have an experience never seen before.

The 5G auction — entailing 72 GHz of the spectrum – will conclude by July-end and the rollout is expected by September this year.

The Department of Telecom has released a notice inviting applications (NIA) for the auction of spectrum in 600, 700, 800, 900, 1800, 2100, 2300, 2500, 3300 MHz and 26GHz bands.

The NIA provides explicit clarity on the subject of Captive Non-Public Networks (CNPN).

The telcos are allowed to surrender spectrum that will be auctioned after a minimum period of 10 years from the date of acquisition.

Last month, in a big relief to telecom companies, the DoT scrapped the 3 per cent floor rate on spectrum usage charge (SUC).

5G in India will empower tech companies, enterprises and ecosystem players to build private networks and bring next-generation digital transformation which is critical for the country to achieve the goal of becoming a $1 trillion digital economy, according to industry leaders and experts.

According to Broadband India Forum (BIF), this will lead to better efficiencies, productivity and output for the enterprises, accelerate digitisation, boost capabilities, propel indigenous manufacturing and eventually garner greater economic gains for the country.

“As we look to cement India’s position as a global hub for manufacturing, supply chain and R&D, as well as one of the leading digital economies across the world, the advancement of enterprises through dedicated captive private 5G networks will help gain efficiencies in all vital industry verticals,” BIF President T.V. Ramachandran said.

Private 5G networks are about the deployment of high speed, enhanced data capacity, and ultra-low latency applications inside a closed manufacturing unit, hospital, airport, shipping port, etc.

The Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI), the industry’s apex body representing telcos, has urged the government not to allow Big Tech companies to enter the 5G spectrum auction via back door channels.

The COAI said that the 5G spectrum should not be provided on an administrative basis as it leads to no business case for the rollout of 5G networks in the country.

“If the independent entities set up private captive networks with direct 5G spectrum allotment by Department of Telecommunications (DoT), it will diminish the revenue so much that there will be no viable business case left for the telecom service providers (TSPs) and there will not remain any need for 5G networks rollout by TSPs,” COAI Director General, Lt. Gen. Dr S.P. Kochhar, said.

With the 5G auctions, India is one step closer to realising a 5G-led future, with a strong base of 5G-capable devices already in place.

Business

Sensex, Nifty trade in green amid positive global cues

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Mumbai, May 2: The Indian stock indices opened in the green on Friday following positive cues from the global markets.

At 9:22 am, Sensex was up 350 points or 0.44 per cent at 80,592 and Nifty was up 71 points or 0.29 per cent at 24,407.

Midcap and smallcap indices were trading flat compared to largecap. Nifty midcap 100 index was up 40 points or 0.08 per cent at 54,185. Nifty smallcap 100 index was down 12 points at 16,436.

Among the sectoral indices, auto, PSU bank, private bank, financial services, metal and realty were major gainers. Pharma, FMCG and media were major laggards.

According to analysts, on the technical front, Nifty 50 continues to consolidate in a narrow range, forming a neutral candlestick pattern. On the hourly chart, a flag and pole pattern are developing, suggesting a possible bullish breakout.”

“If Nifty sustains above 24,400, it can potentially head towards 24,500 and 24,700 levels. Immediate support levels are placed at 24,200, 24,100, and 24,000, offering dip-buying opportunities,” said Mandar Bhojane from Choice Broking.

In the Sensex pack, Adani Ports, Maruti Suzuki, IndusInd Bank, Axis Bank, ICICI Bank, M&M, Tata Motors, TCS, Infosys, HDFC Bank, NTPC and SBI were top gainers. Nestle, Titan, Bajaj Finserv, HUL, Power Grid and Bajaj Finance were the top losers.

The international markets were trading with gains. Tokyo, Hong Kong, Seoul, Jakarta and Bangkok were in the green.

The US market also closed with gains on Thursday. In the last session, the technology index Nasdaq surged more than 1.5 per cent.

Meanwhile, Brent crude was at $ 62.62 per barrel with a gain of about one per cent.

On the institutional front, FIIs continued their buying streak for the 11th consecutive session, albeit with a modest net buy figure of Rs 50 crore.

Meanwhile, DIIs showed stronger conviction, purchasing equities worth Rs 1,792 crore. The combined flow suggests a supportive undertone for the Indian equities.

Devarsh Vakil, Head of Prime Research at HDFC Securities, said that overall trend for the Nifty remains bullish, as it continues to trade above all key moving averages.

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Business

Adani Enterprises’ net profit surges 7.5x to Rs 3,845 crore in Q4, incubating businesses shine

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Ahmedabad, May 1: Adani Enterprises Ltd (AEL), the flagship company of the Adani Group, on Thursday announced robust financial results, with net profit surging 7.5 times to Rs 3,845 crore in Q4 FY25 compared to Rs 449 crore in the same period in FY24.

AEL recognised an exceptional gain of Rs 3,946 crore after Adani Wilmar Ltd’s 13.5 per cent stake sale in the January-March quarter (Q4).

For the entire fiscal (FY25), revenue increased by 2 per cent to Rs 1,00,365 crore and consolidated profit before tax (PBT) up by 16 per cent to Rs 6,533 crore.

EBITDA increased by 26 per cent to Rs 16,722 crore last fiscal, driven by continued strong operational performance from incubating businesses, the company said in a statement.

“At Adani Enterprises, we are building businesses that will define the way forward for India’s infrastructure and energy sector,” said Gautam Adani, Chairman of the Adani Group.

“Our robust performance in FY25 is a direct outcome of our strengths in scale, speed and sustainability. Impressive growth across our incubating businesses reflects the power of disciplined execution, future-focused investments and a commitment to operational excellence, innovation and sustainability,” said the billionaire industrialist.

In Q4 FY25, Adani New Industries Limited (ANIL) started further expansion of solar cell and module lines for an additional capacity of 6 GW with financial closure secured.

In solar manufacturing, module sales increased by 59 per cent (year-on-year) basis to 4,263 MW with higher EBITDA margins on account of improved realisation and operational efficiency.

In Q4 FY25, ANIL wind business completed capacity expansion to 2.25 GW with mix of 5.2 MW, 3.3 MW and 3.0 MW wind turbine generator (WTG) models, the company informed.

AdaniConnex also completed construction of Noida data centre and made operational with initial capacity of 10 MW. In mining services, Parsa coal block commenced operations and successfully made the first customer delivery.

AEL said it has not only delivered robust operational and financial performance but also has remained focused on the timely completion of large infrastructure projects, capacity extension and asset utilisation of its businesses.

“As we scale up in energy transition, airports, data centres and mining services, we are creating new market leaders that will drive India’s growth story for decades to come. Each success across our incubation spectrum accelerates our mission to create long-term value and catalyses India’s emergence as a global economic powerhouse,” said Gautam Adani.

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Business

15th Rozgar Mela: EPFO hands over job letters to 976 new recruits

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New Delhi, April 26: The Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) on Saturday handed over appointment letters to 976 new recruits as part of the 15th edition of the Rozgar Mela.

The Rozgar Mela was held across 47 locations nationwide. The event, addressed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi via videoconferencing, saw the distribution of over 51,000 appointment letters to newly inducted youth in various government departments, including EPFO.

“As part of this significant recruitment drive, EPFO welcomes new recruits to strengthen its workforce, ensuring efficient delivery of social security services to millions of subscribers across India,” said the Labour Ministry.

Appointment letters to 345 Accounts Officers/Enforcement Officers and 631 Social Security Assistants were issued as part of the drive.

The newly-appointed personnel will contribute to EPFO’s mission of providing provident fund, pension, and insurance benefits, supporting the government’s vision of a robust and inclusive economy.

EPFO has established recruitment vertical in head office to ensure regular recruitments and developed a recruitment calendar complying with directions of Union Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Mansukh Mandaviya.

“During last one year, EPFO has recruited 159 Assistant Provident Fund Commissioners, 84 Junior Translation Officers, 28 Stenographers, 2674 SSAs among others. Further recruitment of APFCs, EO/AO, PAs and ASOs are underway,” according to the ministry.

The Rozgar Mela aligns with the Prime Minister’s commitment to prioritizing employment generation and empowering youth for nation-building.

EPFO’s participation underscores its dedication to transparent and merit-based recruitment, leveraging modernized processes to enhance service delivery. The new recruits will have access to training through the iGOT Karmayogi platform, besides formal training enabling them to upskill and excel in their roles.

EPFO said it extends its congratulations to all appointees and reaffirms its resolve to foster a future-ready workforce that drives India’s social security framework towards greater heights.

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