In India, first-time internet consumers are connecting to the web on gadgets that only cost about $20. These inexpensive smart feature phones have physical keypads that are easier to adapt to, than touch screens for those new to mobile phone technology. They provide some basic apps and internet access in...
Ericsson Launches 5G Lab at IIT Delhi
Ericsson, Sweden's multinational networking and telecommunications company headquartered in Stockholm, inaugurated a Center of Excellence and Innovation Lab for 5G at the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi. Borje Ekholm, president and CEO of Ericsson attended the launch. Telecom chipset makers Qualcomm and Intel will support the development of 5G devices...
Fox's Star India Secures Indian Cricket Rights for $940 Million
Outbidding peers Sony Entertainment Television and Indian telecom major Reliance Jio, Fox’s Star India retained worldwide TV and digital rights for all international cricket matches to be played in India through 2023 in a $940 million deal. This agreement will bolster Star India's sports network, as well as boost content...
India Telecom M&As Exceeded $14 billion in 2017
In 2017, India's telecom sector recorded $14.7 billion worth M&A deals -- a more than 5-fold increase in value terms from the previous year. Wireless tariff wars, the entry of Reliance Jio, heavy investment in spectrum and network infrastructure, among others, acted as triggers for the M&A deals. Main deals...
Reliance India Offers a 4G JioPhone for "Free"
India's Reliance Industries' chairman Mukesh Ambani launched the 4G-enabled feature phone, the JioPhone at the company's annual general meeting. This mobile phone is free for 3 years with a refundable deposit of $23. India.com reports that the 4G VoLTE-enabled JioPhone is packed with features such as: Unlimited voice, data, and...
Key Takeaways from UBS Research on India's Mobile Carriers
In February and March 2017, UBS Evidence Lab conducted an online consumer survey on the telecom usage of ~1,500 respondents in India. The survey was conducted in 8 cities in different states. Respondents were smartphone users and the decision makers/influencers in choosing mobile carriers. UBS analysts released a consumer survey...