The latest telecom news includes announcements on Airtel users face network outage, TDSAT, MTNL, among others.
Airtel Users Face Network Outage Across India
On August 18, 2025, Airtel customers reported a large-scale network outage affecting voice calls, mobile data, and SMS in several regions including Delhi-NCR, Mumbai, and Bengaluru. Downdetector received over 2,300 to 3,600 outage complaints by mid-afternoon, pointing to nationwide disruption. Users highlighted issues with both 4G and 5G services, with some claiming data deductions on 4G despite being subscribed to 5G plans. Airtel acknowledged the outage through its official X account, stating that technical teams were working on service restoration.
Telecom Industry Faces TDSAT Review on TRAI Fine Over Spam Control
TDSAT will hear the case on August 20 regarding TRAI’s ₹141 crore fine on Reliance Jio, Bharti Airtel, Vodafone Idea, and BSNL for not curbing spam under the 2018 TCCCPR regulations. TRAI stated that telcos failed to block unsolicited commercial messages and did not fully implement measures under the anti-spam platform, including the digital consent acquisition (DCA) system. Telcos argued that fines should not apply during the transition period when DCA and other tools were under development, and cited Covid-19 delays. TDSAT earlier stayed enforcement of the penalty and directed TRAI to file an affidavit. The outcome will affect how telecom operators adopt and enforce digital systems to manage commercial communication and reduce spam, Economic Times reports.
India’s MTNL Defaults on Loan Repayments
Mahanagar Telephone Nigam (MTNL), a state-run telecom operator, defaulted on loan repayments worth 86.59 billion rupees ($990.48 million) to seven public sector banks, including 77.94 billion rupees in principal and 8.65 billion rupees in interest, with lenders such as Union Bank of India, Bank of India, Punjab National Bank, and State Bank of India. In July, MTNL had disclosed earlier defaults of 85.85 billion rupees. As of July 31, MTNL’s total debt stood at 345.77 billion rupees, compared to 344.84 billion rupees at the end of June, consisting of sovereign-guaranteed bonds and loans from the Department of Telecommunications, Reuters reports.
Hurricane Electric Expands Network in Toronto with New PoP at Coloware YTZ-1
Hurricane Electric announced the launch of a new Point of Presence (PoP) at Coloware YTZ-1 data center at 151 Front Street in Toronto. The site is a carrier hotel providing direct access to TorIX, Canada’s largest internet exchange. This marks Hurricane Electric’s fifth PoP in Toronto and 20th in Canada. The facility will provide IPv4 and IPv6 network connectivity through 100GE, 10GE, and GigE ports. Customers will gain access to Hurricane Electric’s global network, which includes over 40,000 BGP sessions with more than 10,000 networks and connectivity at over 310 internet exchanges worldwide. The new PoP supports direct IP traffic exchange, enabling improved resilience, scalability, and interconnection with multiple providers and internet exchange participants in Ontario.
Shafana Fazal
