Today’s telecom news includes announcements on India telecom sector – hiring, Vodafone Idea AGR dues, Huawei to drive 5G-advanced, among others.
India Telecom Sector – Hiring Outlook H1 2025
India’s telecom sector recorded a 45 percent fresher hiring intent for H1 2025, down from 48 percent in H2 2024, according to TeamLease EdTech report. Demand is strong for roles like RF engineers, network security analysts, and field technical engineers. Key hiring cities include Delhi, Bengaluru, Ahmedabad, Mumbai, Hyderabad, and others. The push is driven by 5G deployment, cloud-native infrastructure, and cyber resilience. The sector is increasingly seeking talent with certifications in RF, cloud computing, and cybersecurity. There is a growing overlap with IT and data-driven functions, creating hybrid roles requiring both technical and analytical skills. Employers also value analytical reasoning, adaptability, and communication skills. These trends reflect a strategic shift from expanding headcount to building a future-ready, skilled workforce in line with digital transformation goals.
Vodafone Idea – AGR Dues and Financial Pressure
Vodafone Idea (Vi) filed a new petition in the Supreme Court seeking a ₹30,000 crore waiver on AGR dues, mainly related to penalties and interest. The hearing is expected on May 19, 2025. Vi reported ₹2.02 trillion in deferred payment obligations. By March 2026, it must pay ₹12,000 crore, followed by ₹43,000 crore annually from FY27 to FY31. In Q1 2025, Vi lost 1.9 million subscribers. Earlier, the government converted spectrum auction dues worth ₹36,950 crore into equity. The Supreme Court has previously rejected Vi’s review and curative petitions. The Court has upheld DoT’s AGR calculations, including non-telecom revenue, and rejected adjustments for arithmetical errors. Vi’s financial strain continues as the four-year moratorium on payments ends in September 2025. The telco argues its survival is key to preserving market competition in India’s telecom sector, according to a report in Economic Times.
Huawei to Drive 5G-Advanced and Digital Transformation at SAMENA Summit 2025
Huawei will host three forums at the SAMENA Council Leaders’ Summit 2025 in Dubai on May 26, focusing on 5G-Advanced (5G-A), AI integration, and green ICT infrastructure. The forums will address the region’s goal to become the world’s first 5G-A region, a vision formalized in December 2024. Huawei will highlight how 5G-A and AI are enabling operators to improve network performance, monetize experiences, and support evolving smart home services. The “Techco 1.0” initiative will guide telecom operators through digital transformation, focusing on cost reduction and service platform evolution. Additionally, Huawei will discuss sustainable ICT practices with the aim to reduce carbon footprints and total ownership costs of telecom networks. The summit represents a pivotal moment in telecom innovation, with a clear emphasis on how operators are becoming AI-driven digital platforms.
TelecomLead.com News Desk
