Today’s telecom news includes announcements on COAI, Reliance Jio, Bharti Airtel, Vodafone Idea, Indus Towers, and others.
Telecom Giants Push for Fee Cuts and GST Relief Ahead of Budget 2026
India’s telecom sector, led by the Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI), is urging the government to ease fiscal pressures in the upcoming Union Budget 2026–27. Reliance Jio, Bharti Airtel, and Vodafone Idea want licence fees cut from 3 percent of adjusted gross revenue (AGR) to 0.5–1 percent to free capital for 5G rollout and network expansion. COAI is also seeking GST relief on regulatory payments like licence fees and spectrum charges to ease cash flows and reduce unutilised input tax credits, enabling operators to invest more in India’s digital infrastructure.
Vodafone Idea Charts ₹45,000 Crore Investment Drive to Transform India Operations
India’s third‑largest telecom operator, Vodafone Idea (Vi), has announced a ₹45,000‑crore investment plan over the next three years to accelerate network upgrades and drive a turnaround strategy. The plan focuses on expanding 4G coverage to match competitors across priority circles and rolling out 5G in urban and key regions, alongside converting remaining 2G sites to 4G and boosting fixed‑wireless access offerings. This follows regulatory relief from the Department of Telecommunications, which froze much of Vi’s adjusted gross revenue (AGR) dues and allowed staggered repayments, easing financial pressure. Vi plans to fund the investment through debt and previous investments of ₹18,000 crore.
Indus Towers Surges 3.4 percent to Hit Intraday High, Market Eyes Momentum
Indus Towers Ltd’s shares climbed strongly on 29 January 2026, hitting an intraday high of around ₹439 and closing the session with about a 3.4 percent gain, outperforming the broader telecom equipment segment and the Sensex. The stock has posted gains over three consecutive sessions, showing sustained buying interest and momentum above its key moving averages. Over various time frames from weekly to yearly Indus Towers has delivered superior returns compared with the benchmark index, reflecting resilience amid broader market weakness.
SHAFANA FAZAL