The latest telecom news includes announcements on Vodafone Idea (Vi), BSNL, penalty on KT Corporation, among others.
Vi Lights Up Puducherry with 5G: Faster Speeds, Bigger Ambitions in South India
Vodafone Idea (Vi) has officially launched its 5G services in Puducherry, marking another step in its phased nationwide rollout of next-generation connectivity. The service is available for users with 5G-enabled smartphones on Vi plans starting from ₹299, with the company continuing its strategy of offering unlimited 5G data in select markets. The launch aims to enhance user experience with faster downloads, smoother streaming, low-latency gaming, and improved video calling. Vi is gradually expanding its 5G footprint across priority telecom circles, strengthening its position against rivals like Jio and Airtel. The rollout also reflects Vi’s ongoing network upgrades and investments in advanced infrastructure to support both 4G and 5G services more efficiently across India.
₹225 BSNL Plan Disrupts Budget Data Segment with High Daily Data Offer
BSNL has introduced a budget prepaid plan priced at ₹225 that offers 2.5GB of daily data, unlimited voice calls, and 100 SMS per day, with a validity of 30 days. Targeted at heavy data users, the plan stands out as one of the most cost-effective options in the telecom market, offering services at nearly ₹7.5 per day. It is designed to attract users seeking short-term, high-data benefits without long-term commitments. While the pricing is highly competitive against private telecom operators, its appeal is somewhat limited by inconsistent 4G coverage in several regions. Still, in areas with reliable BSNL network strength, the plan offers strong value for budget-conscious customers.
KT Hit With 640 Million Won Fine Over Deceptive Galaxy S25 Pre-Order Campaign
South Korea’s Fair-Trade Commission has fined KT Corporation 640 million won for deceiving consumers during the Samsung Galaxy S25 pre-order campaign in 2025. The regulator found that KT promoted first-come, first-served benefits without clearly disclosing strict stock limits, creating the impression that all customers could purchase the device. In reality, only about 400 units were available, leading to over 7,000 cancelled orders after demand surged. KT also used promotional banners that overstated availability on its online platforms. Authorities ruled this as misleading advertising under electronic commerce laws. Although KT offered compensation such as digital points and subscriptions, regulators ordered corrective action to prevent similar deceptive marketing practices in future sales campaigns.
SHAFANA FAZAL
