Today’s telecom news includes announcements on Bharti Airtel, Thailand’s USD 3.2bn spectrum auction, Starlink and Amazon Kuiper, among others.
Bharti Airtel Names Manoj Kumar Mauni as New CIO to Drive 5G and Digital Growth
Bharti Airtel appointed Manoj Kumar Mauni as Chief Information Officer (CIO) – Telecom. Manoj Kumar Mauni has over 20 years of experience in IT transformations across banking, insurance, logistics, and telecom sectors. He previously worked as Chief Technology Officer at Bandhan Bank and held senior IT roles at Kotak Mahindra Bank. In his new role, Manoj Kumar Mauni will lead IT strategy, modernize telecom operations, and strengthen digital infrastructure at Airtel. This appointment reflects Airtel’s focus on digital transformation and 5G expansion.
Thailand’s USD 3.2bn Spectrum Auction Boosts 5G and IoT Expansion
Thailand’s National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) completed a spectrum auction covering the 700MHz, 2600MHz, and 26GHz bands. The auction raised THB 100 billion (USD 3.2 billion). Advanced Info Service (AIS) was the top bidder, securing 23 licenses for THB 42.1 billion (USD 1.35 billion). The licenses allow AIS to expand its network coverage and support 5G deployment. Other participants included True Corp and National Telecom (NT). The 700MHz band supports wide-area coverage, 2600MHz offers higher capacity, and 26GHz enables high-speed services. The auction is part of Thailand’s plan to increase spectrum use efficiency and improve telecom services. Operators are expected to develop 5G infrastructure, support IoT applications, and meet regulatory requirements set by NBTC, including infrastructure sharing and network security. The auction reflects the telecom sector’s shift toward multi-band strategies to meet rising data demand and support digital initiatives across industries.
Starlink and Amazon Kuiper Gear Up for Satellite Internet Launch in India
Starlink and Amazon’s Project Kuiper are preparing to launch satellite internet services in India. Starlink is expected to receive its GMPCS license by June 2025 after meeting security requirements. Both companies must meet India’s mandate to locally manufacture 20 percent of ground equipment within five years. Starlink plans to partner with Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel. Kuiper has applied for a Letter of Intent and plans to establish 10 ground stations and offices in Mumbai and Chennai. Starlink operates over 6,700 satellites and serves around 5 million users globally. Kuiper has launched 27 satellites and plans a total of 3,236. The Department of Telecommunications has imposed conditions on data storage, lawful interception, and gateway security.
Chunghwa Telecom Boosts Network Resilience with AI and Cybersecurity Upgrades
Chunghwa Telecom is investing in network resilience amid rising threats. The company uses AI-powered digital twin technology to predict congestion and manage network performance, improving capacity by about 14 percent during high-traffic events. Chunghwa is expanding backup systems and increasing submarine cable capacity to maintain connectivity. The company is also strengthening cybersecurity by creating a Secure Operations Center and developing identity and access management solutions to reduce digital risks.
TelecomLead.com News Desk
