Today’s telecom news includes announcements on TDIP scheme for 6G, TRAI, SoftBank, Ericsson, Freshwave, among others.
India’s Telecom Surge: 9.28 Million New Subscribers in a Single Month
India’s telecom sector added 9.28 million subscribers in March 2026, pushing the total user base to around 1.33 billion, according to TRAI. Broadband connections crossed the 1.06 billion mark, with nearly 6.8 million new users, signaling strong growth in data consumption. Wireless services continued to drive the expansion, while wireline growth remained modest. Reliance Jio retained its lead in broadband subscribers, followed by Bharti Airtel and Vodafone Idea. The steady rise in both mobile and broadband users reflects increasing digital adoption and ongoing investments in telecom infrastructure across the country.
₹203 Crore TDIP Revamp Fuels India’s 6G Innovation Push
The government has introduced a revamped ₹203 crore Technology Development and Investment Promotion (TDIP) scheme for 2026–31 to strengthen India’s telecom innovation ecosystem. The initiative focuses on advancing indigenous 6G and 5G Advanced technologies by supporting startups, MSMEs, academia, and industry stakeholders. It also promotes active Indian participation in global standard-setting bodies such as the International Telecommunication Union, 3GPP, and oneM2M, enabling contributions to global telecom standards and leadership roles. By funding research, collaboration, and international engagement, the scheme aims to position India as a global leader in next-generation telecom and reduce reliance on foreign technologies.
SoftBank & Ericsson Boost 5G Speeds with Smarter Uplink Technology
SoftBank and Ericsson have teamed up to enhance 5G network performance through a new uplink switching technology. The solution dynamically optimises how data is transmitted from devices to the network, improving speed, stability, and overall efficiency. This is particularly important as demand rises for uplink-heavy applications such as live video, cloud gaming, and AI-driven services. Designed for 5G standalone networks, the innovation leverages advanced carrier aggregation and MIMO capabilities. The companies aim to support next-generation connectivity needs and deliver a smoother, more reliable user experience as 5G usage continues to expand.
Ericsson & Freshwave Launch Next-Gen Indoor 5G in the UK
Ericsson and Freshwave have introduced “5G on Omni,” an advanced indoor network solution delivering seamless 4G and 5G coverage from all UK mobile operators inside buildings. Powered by Ericsson’s Radio Dot System, the platform tackles poor indoor signals caused by dense building materials using shared infrastructure. It enables faster deployment, reduces cabling needs, and cuts energy consumption by up to 50 percent. Already deployed at a central London office space, the solution ensures consistent, high-quality connectivity regardless of provider, supporting rising demand for reliable indoor mobile coverage across commercial environments.
SHAFANA FAZAL
