Telecom

Union minister Jyotiraditya Scindia has publicly criticized a senior director at Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL), describing certain demands as “absurd” and disconnected from operational and fiscal realities. The sharp response underscores growing tension between legacy public-sector structures and the government’s push to modernize India’s telecom ecosystem. Officials said the remarks reflect frustration with resistance to reform at a time when BSNL is undergoing a critical turnaround.

Artificial intelligence is increasingly playing a central role in protecting telecom networks from fraud, according to a senior government official, as India’s digital ecosystem expands at unprecedented speed. Advanced AI-driven systems are now being deployed to detect suspicious activity in real time, block fraudulent transactions and safeguard consumers from financial losses. Officials said these technologies are helping telecom operators stay ahead of increasingly sophisticated fraud networks, which have exploited scale, automation and cross-border anonymity.

Bharti Airtel is planning a capital infusion of around Rs. 20,000 crore into its proposed non-banking financial company (NBFC), underscoring a strategic expansion beyond telecom into financial services. The move reflects Airtel’s intent to leverage its vast digital ecosystem, customer reach, and data capabilities to build a scalable lending and financial solutions platform.

India’s push to become a global hub for artificial intelligence received a decisive boost as Bharti Airtel announced a major network upgrade ahead of the India AI Impact Summit 2026. The telecom major is enhancing capacity, resilience, and latency performance across key urban centers to support data-intensive AI demonstrations, cloud workloads, and real-time analytics.

In a significant ruling, the Supreme Court held that telecom spectrum cannot be treated as a proprietary asset under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC), reinforcing the principle that spectrum is a sovereign resource allocated under statutory conditions. The judgment carries far-reaching implications for insolvency proceedings involving telecom operators, particularly in the context of creditor recoveries and asset monetization. By distinguishing spectrum usage rights from tangible assets, the court has reshaped expectations around resolution frameworks in capital-intensive sectors.

Bharti Airtel has introduced an artificial intelligence-driven security framework aimed at curbing the surge in OTP-based banking fraud across India. The telecom major’s system is designed to detect suspicious communication patterns, flag potential phishing attempts and warn users in real time before financial damage occurs. As digital payments proliferate and mobile banking adoption accelerates, cybercriminals have increasingly exploited one-time password (OTP) vulnerabilities. Airtel’s intervention reflects a broader industry push toward proactive fraud prevention.

Airtel Africa delivered a strong financial performance, reporting a sharp jump in profit to about Rs 4,860 crore, underscoring sustained momentum across its key African markets. The earnings growth was driven by robust demand for data services, expanding mobile money operations, and improved operational efficiencies. Despite currency volatility and macroeconomic challenges in several regions, the company benefited from rising smartphone penetration and increased digital adoption.

Vodafone Idea reported a reduction in net losses for the third quarter of FY26, signaling early progress in its turnaround efforts amid a challenging telecom landscape. The improvement reflects tighter cost controls, better revenue realization, and incremental gains from tariff optimization and customer retention initiatives. While the company continues to face structural pressures from high debt and intense competition, the narrowing loss suggests operational traction is beginning to take hold.

India’s Department of Posts has unveiled a bold strategy to achieve a 30% increase in revenue by FY26, reflecting a decisive shift toward modernization, diversification, and financial sustainability. The plan focuses on leveraging the department’s vast nationwide network to expand parcel logistics, digital services, and financial products, including India Post Payments Bank. Operational efficiencies, technology adoption, and partnerships with e-commerce and private sector players are expected to drive growth.

BSNL and Viasat have partnered to enhance the Indian Navy’s satellite communication (Satcom) infrastructure, aiming to improve secure, high-speed connectivity across naval operations. The modernization initiative will strengthen real-time data transfer, tactical communication, and surveillance capabilities, reinforcing maritime security amid evolving regional threats. Leveraging Viasat’s advanced satellite technology and BSNL’s domestic network expertise, the project reflects India’s strategic push toward self-reliant and resilient defense communication systems.