The latest telecom news includes announcements on free Wi-Fi in India, Eutelsat, Tata Group’s Nelco, among others.
Indian Railways provides free Wi-Fi at 6,115 stations
Indian Railways offers free Wi-Fi at 6,115 railway stations under the Digital India Programme to increase internet access in urban and rural areas. RailTel, a public sector unit, operates the RailWire network that delivers the service. Passengers can connect to the “RailWire” network, verify through a mobile OTP, and use the internet for activities such as video streaming, downloads, and work tasks. The network covers stations in Tier 1 cities like New Delhi, Mumbai Central, and Chennai, Tier 2 cities like Surat, Vadodara, and Rajkot, and Tier 3 cities like Rohtak and Cuttack. Most stations already have 4G or 5G coverage from telecom providers, which supports baseline connectivity, IANS reports.
India Moves to Boost Local Telecom Gear in 5G Push
The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) is urging private telecom operators to increase the use of locally manufactured telecom gear. If voluntary adoption targets are not met, the government may mandate compliance. The directive will apply only to new purchase orders, avoiding replacement of existing network equipment. This move impacts foreign suppliers such as Cisco, Nokia, Ericsson, and Samsung, while benefiting Indian firms including Tejas Networks, HFCL, Sterlite Technologies, and VVDN Technologies. The policy aligns with the government’s push for self-reliance in telecom manufacturing and addresses geopolitical concerns. In parallel, global telecom equipment makers are setting up manufacturing units and logistics hubs in India, contributing to local production capabilities, Business Standard reports.
Eutelsat and Tata Group’s Nelco
Eutelsat and Tata Group’s Nelco have signed an agreement to provide OneWeb low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite connectivity services across India. Through Eutelsat’s local arm, OneWeb India Communications, the partnership will deliver secure, low-latency connectivity for land, maritime, and aviation customers, covering India’s borders, territorial waters, and remote regions. The services will support government and enterprise applications, bolster digital infrastructure, enhance national security, and bring reliable connectivity to underserved areas. Nelco is prepared to offer these services once OneWeb LEO operations commence commercially in the country.
TelecomLead.com News Desk
