Today’s telecom news includes announcements on Airtel Africa, e&, Digicel, DoT, India’s Telecom Equipment Manufacturing, among others.
Airtel Africa to Use Starlink for Internet in 14 Countries
Airtel Africa is working with SpaceX to bring Starlink internet to 14 countries. It will help connect schools, clinics, businesses, and villages. They may also use it to improve mobile network in rural areas. Currently, SpaceX has acquired requisite licenses in 9 out of 14 countries within Airtel Africa’s footprint. Operating licenses for the other 5 countries are under process.
e& and Digicel Work Together on Calls and Fraud Protection
e& and Digicel made a deal to manage international phone calls in 24 countries. They will use AI to find and stop fraud.
DoT Changes Procurement Policy for Local 5G Equipment
The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has updated its policy to favor Indian suppliers for 5G equipment. The new rule requires 5G products to have local value to be eligible. Suppliers with 50 percent local content will get preference. Over 10 Indian companies are making 5G products. This is part of the “Make in India” initiative. The DoT will review and update the list of products as production grows.
India’s Telecom Equipment Manufacturing Tops ₹50,000 Crore under PLI Scheme
India’s telecom equipment manufacturing has reached over ₹50,000 crore in sales, thanks to the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme. The scheme has brought in ₹3,400 crore in investment and created more than 17,800 jobs. It has helped reduce India’s reliance on telecom imports by 60 percent. India now makes telecom equipment, including 5G products, for local and global markets. In 2023-24, India produced 33 crore mobile phones, with 5 crore exported.
TelecomLead.com News Desk
