Telecom

Vodafone Idea (VIL), India’s beleaguered telecom operator, has sounded a grave warning to the government, stating that it will be forced to shut operations beyond FY26 unless immediate relief is provided on its Adjusted Gross Revenue (AGR) dues. In a letter to the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), VIL CEO Akshaya Moondra urged intervention, stressing that without government support, the company’s ongoing funding discussions with banks would collapse, and its capital investment cycle would stall.

Singapore-based telecom giant Singtel has divested a 1.2% stake in Bharti Airtel through a large block deal worth Rs. 13,221 crore ($1.54 billion), priced at Rs. 1,814 per share. The transaction reduces Singtel’s stake in the Indian telecom major from 29.5% to 28.3%, while still preserving its role as a key strategic investor. Although buyers remain undisclosed, the sale was executed above the floor price and includes a 60-day lock-up period. Bharti Airtel shares dipped following the announcement, though the stock remains among the top Nifty 50 performers of 2025.

A recent comprehensive survey by LocalCircles reveals that nearly 89% of Indian mobile users continue to experience call connection failures and frequent call drops, with 40% reporting these issues regularly. Despite regulatory measures and penalties aimed at improving service quality, the situation has remained unchanged over the past year.

Following a robust rally that pushed benchmark indices to seven-month highs, Indian equity markets experienced a moderate correction on Friday, driven primarily by profit-taking in IT stocks and Bharti Airtel. The BSE Sensex fell 200 points, while the NSE Nifty declined by 42 points, as investors locked in gains. Sectoral divergence was notable, with select large-cap stocks retreating even as mid and small-cap indices sustained upward momentum. Global market cues were mixed, with Asian markets mostly subdued and European bourses trading higher.

Shares of Bharti Airtel slid nearly 3% on Friday after Singapore Telecommunications Ltd (Singtel) announced the sale of approximately 1.2% of its direct stake in the Indian telecom major. The transaction, valued at SGD 2 billion (around USD 1.5 billion), was part of Singtel’s broader capital management strategy aimed at optimizing its asset portfolio and enhancing shareholder value.

In a decisive step against escalating digital fraud, Bharti Airtel has introduced an AI-driven fraud detection solution designed to identify and block malicious websites across all major Over-The-Top (OTT) communication platforms, including WhatsApp, Telegram, Facebook, Instagram, and email. Initially launched in Haryana, the service will soon be available nationwide at no extra cost to Airtel mobile and broadband users.

India has taken a decisive step toward securing a leadership position in the future of global telecommunications, investing over Rs. 300 crore in more than 111 research initiatives focused on sixth-generation (6G) technology. Union Minister of State for Telecom, Chandra Sekhar Pemmasani, announced at the BHARAT 6G 2025 conference that India now ranks among the top six nations globally in 6G patent filings.

Vodafone Idea (Vi) is set to significantly expand its 5G footprint with the launch of next-generation services in Delhi-NCR on May 15, marking a critical milestone in its nationwide rollout strategy. The telecom operator aims to activate 5G across 17 strategic circles by August, following recent launches in Mumbai, Chandigarh, and Patna. As part of its Rs. 55,000 crore capital expenditure plan over three years, Vi is rapidly deploying advanced technologies including AI-driven network management and energy-efficient infrastructure.

Bharti Hexacom, a regional telecom powerhouse under the Bharti Airtel umbrella, reported a dramatic rise in profitability for the March 2025 quarter, driven largely by strategic tariff adjustments and a shift toward premium subscribers. Profit after tax more than doubled to Rs. 468.4 crore from Rs. 222.6 crore a year earlier, while revenues jumped 22.5 percent year over year. The company’s focus on value-rich customers and growing data consumption also led to a substantial increase in average revenue per user (ARPU).

Bharti Airtel shares climbed nearly 3% on Wednesday following a dramatic five-fold surge in its consolidated net profit for the March 2025 quarter. The telecom major reported earnings of Rs. 11,022 crore, driven largely by tariff hikes and a substantial one-time tax gain. Revenue also posted healthy growth, reflecting strong subscriber monetization and operational performance. Investor confidence was visibly reinforced as the company’s results surpassed expectations, underscoring the strength of its business model and the strategic impact of recent pricing decisions.