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2023: India Launches Gigabit Satellite Internet
On October 27, 2023, Reliance Jio Infocomm Limited, a division of Jio Platforms Limited, announced the launch of India's first gigabit-class satellite internet. The service, called Jio SpaceFiber, will provide high-speed web access to remote regions of the country. Read more here.
2022
Indian billionaire invests $25 billion to launch 5G networks in India
At the end of August 2022, the owner of the largest telecom and Internet operator in India, Mukesh Ambani, announced that his holding Reliance Industries would invest 2 trillion rupees or $25 billion in the launch of 5G networks throughout the country. Read more here.
India Bans Foreign Businesses From Upgrading Networks of State Telecom Operators
On August 15, 2022, the Indian government decided to limit the participation of foreign telecommunications service providers in projects to modernize 4G and 5G networks in BSNL and MTNL, which were provided with a set of reconstruction measures worth 1.64 lakh rupees ($20.5 billion), and instructed to conclude contracts mainly with Indian companies.
This major localization step - for the first time in history - is being taken to develop key technologies and equipment domestically without much reliance on international players.
The localisation move was also persistently supported at the highest level of government, with Communications Minister Ashwini Vaishnav appealing to the top leadership of the BSNL and MTNL to follow this instruction or risk retaliatory measures.
 | It is clear that BSNL will use only and exclusively technology made in India. This is absolutely obvious. Just forget the loyalty you've had in the past and move forward. If you want to maintain past loyalty, go back to them (foreign suppliers). I speak very bluntly, "Vaishnav told BSNL and MTNL officials. |  |
| | We invest a lot of money (through the restructuring programme) because BSNL is an important company in the strategic sector. As part of the strategic PSU, we will only use proven materials and technology that "Made in India" under the Atmanirbhar Bharat programme. You have to forget about everything else and get the thought out of your mind that there is any third-party technology or any third-party company. | |
Vaishnav also said that while Indian technology may not be the best in the initial phase, it is expected to improve over time. Mahendra Nahata, director of HFCL, also sees BSNL's 5G promotion as a tool to develop local technology and domestic companies.
BSNL and MTNL previously used equipment provided by Chinese and European suppliers, and now companies such as Shyam VNL, HFCL and TCS-Tejas combine are providing new in-house developed products and equipment.[1]
2021: $11 billion Cell Frequency Auction, 5G Waiver Due to High Cost
In early March 2021, an auction for the sale of cellular frequencies took place in India. After two days of trading, the government collected 778 billion Indian rupees ($10.6 billion), although the 700 MHz range for 5G was not bought due to the high cost.
The Economic Times of India reported the final figures, while Bharti Airtel and Vodafone Idea issued separate statements to the Indian Stock Exchange confirming that the auction had come to an end.
Bharti Airtel said it has committed 187 billion Indian rupees ($2.56 billion) to purchase 355.45 MHz bandwidth in the lower band, mid band and 2300 MHz band, which the company said gives it "the broadest opportunity in the country."
The company believes the lower frequency range will help it provide good indoor coverage in urban settings. In addition, having gained a foothold in the middle band, Bharti Airtel is considering the possibility of providing 5G communication in the future.
Vodafone Idea did not disclose the details of the deal, only announced the purchase of frequencies in five bands, which will help the company speed up coverage and bandwidth. 4G
The Economic Times of India reports that Bharti Airtel, Vodafone Idea and Reliance Jio mostly bought frequencies to renew permits that expire in July 2021. However, the spectrum in the 700 MHz band never found buyers, as it did at the auction in 2016. Airtel explained that the operators did not speak at the auction, "as this deal would not have brought them any benefit due to the high reserve price."
The company believes the sale of the 700 MHz spectrum could accelerate India's "promotion to the top league of digitally supported countries, so priority needs to be given to pricing these bands in the future."[2]
2020
India set to ditch Huawei equipment in its telecom networks - FT
India intends to gradually abandon the use of equipment from Huawei Technologies and other Chinese companies in its telecommunications networks in connection with the recent aggravation of relations between the two countries, writes the Financial Times in August 2020, citing knowledgeable sources.
Thus, Huawei, which previously faced tough restrictions from the United States (Sanctions against Huawei), may lose access to one of the most important markets for it.
There has been no formal ban on Huawei or ZTE equipment, however, top executives of industry companies and officials report that key ministers in the Indian government have made clear that Indian telecom providers should avoid acquiring Chinese equipment for future investment projects, including 5G networks.
| | "There is now open talk that the Indian government will not allow Chinese equipment to be used," an industry source told the FT. "There is absolute clarity. The game is over". | |
Another source told the newspaper about the already existing ban on testing equipment of Chinese companies for 5G networks.
Huawei is among the top three Huawei equipment suppliers to India, the world's second-largest mobile market with more than 850 million users. Huawei has major contracts with Indian telecom operators Bharti Airtel, and Vodafone state BSNL.
New Delhi is unlikely to impose a formal ban on the use of equipment from Huawei or other Chinese companies in India, as this could provoke tough retaliation from Beijing, an FT source in the Indian government notes.
However, according to him, the Indian authorities are very wary of potential Chinese investments in the country's key infrastructure.
2018
Huawei and ZTE barred from building 5G networks in India
In September 2018, the Telecommunications Department India excluded Huawei from the ZTE list of companies allowed to conduct - 5G nets in the country. Thus, the Indian government followed suit and, USA Australia limiting the participation of Chinese manufacturers in the development of infrastructure at the state level. The reason, most likely, was problems, although the cyber security Indian government refrains from specific comments.
India's Department of Telecommunications has already secured consent to roll out 5G networks from companies such as, Cisco,, Samsung Ericsson Nokia and, as part of a government programme. Telecom equipment manufacturers Huawei and ZTE have been refused as the Indian government fears possible cyber attacks from the outside, although China this is not directly stated. In August 2018, Chinese developers were construction banned from 5G networks in Australia and the United States. also Great Britain discovered some "shortcomings" in Huawei's work and postponed the conclusion of the contract.
Despite the long experience of cooperation, it is not the first time that Chinese manufacturers have faced a ban on the distribution of equipment in India due to security problems. Still, denying a major government order could seriously hit companies "budgets. The Huawei Corporation took into account the change in the political situation and has already stopped assembling equipment at local factories. The company's revenues in India are likely to decline to $700-800 million in 2018, while in 2017 they amounted to approximately $1.2 billion.
The Indian government plans to present trial examples of 5G use by early 2019 and is preparing to fully roll out the next generation network by 2020.[3]
Cheapest mobile internet in the world
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