Today’s telecom news includes developments related to GSMA, broadband in India, ZTE, MTN, SpaceX, among others.
GSMA asks India to include 6GHz in next spectrum auction
The GSMA has urged the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) to include the 6GHz band (6.425-7.125GHz) in the upcoming spectrum auction to support 5G services and boost India’s competitiveness, Economic Times news report said.
GSMA’s Jeanette Whyte wrote to DoT Secretary Neeraj Mittal, asking for the 6GHz band to be included alongside other mobile service bands. The 6GHz band is key for India’s digital growth and future telecom needs.
Parts of the 6GHz band are currently used by government departments. Telecom operators, including Reliance Jio, Bharti Airtel, and Vodafone Idea, want the band for 5G, while Wi-Fi groups seek it for broadband expansion. GSMA also noted that 5G could contribute $455 billion to India’s economy by 2040.
India’s Broadband Growth and Digital Expansion
India’s broadband subscribers increased from 66 crore to 94.49 crore in February 2025. Monthly wireless data use grew from 10 GB to 21.10 GB. Mobile broadband speeds went up from 10.71 Mbps in 2019 to 144.33 Mbps in February 2025. Fixed broadband speeds rose from 29.25 Mbps to 61.66 Mbps.
The length of optical fiber cable increased from 19.35 lakh kilometers to 42.13 lakh kilometers, and the number of mobile towers grew from 5.37 lakh to 8.23 lakh. The government has launched programs like the National Broadband Mission 2.0 and BharatNet to expand broadband to rural areas.
Turk Telekom and ZTE Complete 1.6T DWDM Trial
Türk Telekom and ZTE have completed the world’s first 1.6T Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexing (DWDM) trial with 12THz bandwidth in Istanbul. The trial tested 800GE/400GE services and supports future 5G networks in Türkiye.
The trial showed a 25 percent reduction in power use per Gbit. This technology will improve data transmission in areas like smart cities, autonomous vehicles, and healthcare.
MTN Appoints Ankur Bajpai to Lead Home Broadband
MTN Group is expanding its broadband services and has made Ankur Bajpai the Executive: Group Home Broadband, starting April 1, 2025. Bajpai will focus on growing MTN’s Fiber to the Home (FTTH) and Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) services. This change is aimed at increasing market reach and improving customer service.
TRAI Requires Telecom Operators to Publish Coverage Maps
In India, telecom companies like Airtel, Jio, and Vodafone Idea now show network coverage maps on their websites. This follows a rule from the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI), requiring companies to show where their 2G, 3G, 4G, and 5G networks are available. The maps help customers check coverage before getting a SIM card. The maps are not always 100 percent accurate and can be affected by weather and terrain.
SpaceX and Apple Compete in Satellite Communications
SpaceX and Apple are competing to improve satellite communications. SpaceX is expanding its Starlink network to offer internet in remote areas. Apple has invested in Globalstar to provide satellite service for iPhones. Both companies want to reduce communication dead zones and are working on getting the necessary spectrum rights. Their work shows the growing role of satellite technology in telecommunications.
iQmetrix Launches Payments Solution for Telecom Retail
iQmetrix has launched iQ Payments, a mobile-first payment solution for telecom retail. It simplifies payment processing, support, and reporting in one platform. iQ Payments helps retailers keep up with changing trends by offering options like cardless payments and mobile terminals. The solution is scalable and ensures secure transactions with PCI-compliant processes. It also includes features like offline payment and chargeback management, making it a valuable tool for telecom retail.
TelecomLead.com News Desk
