Today’s telecom news includes announcements on NHAI, Reliance Jio, MTN, Telecel, Apple, among others.
Jio & NHAI Join Forces to Deliver Real-Time Highway Safety Alerts Across India
The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has partnered with Reliance Jio to launch a telecom-based highway safety alert system. Using Jio’s 4G/5G network towers without extra roadside hardware, the system sends real-time alerts to travelers approaching high-risk zones such as accident-prone stretches, foggy areas, stray cattle zones, or emergency diversions. Alerts will be delivered via SMS, WhatsApp, and priority calls, integrated with NHAI’s digital platforms including the “Rajmargyatra” app and emergency helpline.
Extra Spectrum Boost Restores Mobile Network Reliability for MTN and Telecel
The government has resolved mobile‑network problems by allocating extra spectrum to MTN and Telecel. This action, ordered by President John Dramani Mahama, enabled technical upgrades that improved call clarity and overall network reliability. It aligns with a broader digital‑transformation agenda to ensure stable, high‑quality telecommunications infrastructure nationwide. Following months of public complaints about dropped calls and inconsistent data, the spectrum boost has delivered significant improvement, offering better service quality and restoring customer confidence.
Apple Challenges India’s Preloaded App Mandate, Highlighting Privacy and User Control
Apple is resisting a 2025 Indian government directive requiring all smartphone makers to preload the state-run Sanchar Saathi cyber‑safety app on new devices. The app is designed to enhance security by tracking stolen phones, preventing fraud, and strengthening telecom‑network verification via IMEI tracking. Apple’s refusal reflects its investment in privacy-focused innovation and commitment to user control, ensuring customers retain choice over which apps are installed. This move underscores a growing tension between government regulation and tech companies’ customer-centric strategies, emphasizing the importance of protecting user data while maintaining device security.
Shafana Fazal
