To recover investments and protect margins, private telcos resorted to tariff hikes in mid-year but that move backfired. New Delhi: The country's private telecom operators face twin challenges on investment recovery in the New Year – customers leaving their network after tariff hikes and satellite players mainly Elon Musk's Starlink eyeing a chunk of their bread and butter data business. Private operators have invested around Rs 70,000 crore in telecom infrastructure and radiowave assets this year to expand the coverage of next-generation 5G services which is one of the main highlights of 2024 for the sector. To recover investments and protect margins, private telcos resorted to tariff hikes in mid-year but that move backfired. Around 2 crore subscribers dropped their connections. Reliance Jio, Bharti Airtel and Vodafone Idea jointly lost 2.6 crore customers due to a 10-26 per cent price hike. Around 68 customers switched to state-run player BSNL which refrained from price hike. The loss-making PSU still offers generation-old 3G service and is on the path of rolling out 4G network across the country. Despite subscriber loss, private players need to recover investment and invest more in 5G to offer new-age services to drive future growth. According to EY India Markets and Telecom leader Prashant Singhal, the cumulative investment of Reliance Jio, Bharti Airtel and Vodafone Idea was around Rs 70,200 crore in 2024. Digital Infrastructure Providers Association (DIPA) Director General Manoj Kumar Singh says the telecom infrastructure sector looks at a cumulative investment of Rs 92,100 crore to Rs 1.41 lakh crore in 2022-2027 to support the 5G ecosystem. Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia also backed telecom operators on the tariff hike issue citing investments made by companies in the network. The rollout of 5G services in 2024 has paved the way for the adoption of emerging technologies like artificial intelligence which offers huge growth potential. "5G deployment has been a game-changer. We've witnessed a significant surge in 5G base transceiver stations, rising from 412,214 in December 2023 to 462,854 by November 2024,” says DIPA, whose members include Indus Towers and American Tower Corporation. Impending huge investments in 5G and maintaining healthy margins in the face of subscriber loss are not the only challenges for private telecom players. A new threat from satellite broadband service providers is staring at private telcos in the New Year. The satellite broadband sector has seen intense lobbying on the spectrum allocation issue in 2024. Private telecom operators led by Mukesh Ambani-promoted Jio have been for strongly protesting against the administrative allocation of spectrum to satellite broadband service providers like Elon Musk's Starlink. Telcos fear that allocation of radiowaves to satellite broadband providers without auction will come at a low price and make a dent in their data subscriber market share. The government's decision to allocate satcom spectrum without auction also saw political mud-slinging with opposition members equating the move with 2G spectrum case. As per the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG), 2G spectrum allocation caused a notional loss of Rs 1.76 lakh crore to the national exchequer. Scindia said the country cannot forget the "2G scam" -- a blot on the country's history. "A scam that not just led to a colossal loss of Rs 1,76,645 crore to the exchequer, but also gave government-corporate collaboration its worst name, a.K.A crony capitalism," he said on X. The minister reiterated that even administrative allocation of spectrum to satcom players will be done at a price recommended by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI). Indian Space Association (ISpA) Director General AK Bhatt has batted for expeditious allocation of satcom spectrum, saying it would help satcom players start their services in India as soon as possible and bring the unconnected areas under the coverage. According to analysts, satcom players' entry may delay mobile services tariff hikes by telcos and new entrants may trigger another round of price war which may push the sector into another round of financial stress as well as lower investments in the network. Private players like Vodafone Idea are already ridden under huge debt. It has awarded a Rs 30,000 crore contract to Nokia, Ericsson and Samsung for the supply of 4G and 5G network equipment for three years. GX Group CEO Paritosh Prajapati says that the investment in the Indian telecom sector will continue as operators are looking to improve their network. EY India Markets and Telecom leader Prashant Singhal cautions that it is crucial for the telecom industry to find a balance between tariff rationalisation to recover their investments without compromising on subscribers' experience. "Telecom companies should not ignore low paying customers and it is very much required to include them in the data-led digital economy as per government mission of inclusive development. Operators also need to invest in building infrastructure on which the entire digital economy including start-ups, e-commerce are thriving," says Singhal. According to a joint report by Google, Temasek and Bain & Company, India's internet economy alone is expected to register a six-fold growth and touch about Rs 80 lakh crore by 2030. The report estimated that India's internet economy was in the range of Rs 12.86 lakh crore to Rs 14.5 lakh crore in 2022. Singhal said that internet companies or the new age businesses are generating high margins and their corporate social responsibility funds can be used for building rural and remote networks where returns are low for telecom operators. Telecom industry body COAI has been pushing for revenue sharing with foreign big tech companies like Google, Amazon, Facebook, WhatsApp etc as videos, images and other content on these platforms are estimated to consume 80 per cent bandwidth. "The massive traffic created by LTGs (large traffic generators)has significantly strained telecom networks, compelling TSPs to invest an additional Rs 10,000 crore in infrastructure in 2023, according to our study. “While TSPs bear these costs, LTGs, without contributing, amass multiple incomes through subscriptions, ads and data-driven marketing, with revenues largely outside India's tax ambit," COAI Director General SP Kochhar said. He said that telcos also faced the blow of equipment theft as well during the year. Telecom equipment theft has emerged as a major issue affecting Indian TSPs, incurring an estimated Rs 800 crore in losses already, causing major disruptions in 4G/5G expansions and impacting the quality of mobile services, Kochhar said. Also, the year 2024 ends with the unsolved menace of pesky and fraud calls with scamsters powered by high-speed 5G networks devising new strategies like digital arrest, misusing AI to extort money. Stay informed on all the latest news , real-time breaking news updates, and follow all the important headlines in india news and world News on Zee News.slots golden hoyeah casino slot 。

In the aftermath of the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) disappointing loss in the 2024 presidential elections, key figures within the party are now confronting the reality of the defeat. Prominent NPP member Mr. Ntim was candid about the party’s deep disappointment with the results, stating, “There is no doubt that the outcome of the elections is not what we wished for.” As part of the party’s efforts to recover from the setback, NPP leaders have announced plans to establish an election review committee in January 2025. The committee will be tasked with engaging stakeholders and thoroughly analyzing the factors behind the loss, with a particular focus on identifying areas for reform. This move signals the party’s commitment to reassessing its strategies, especially after a performance that has left many within the ranks of the NPP questioning its future direction. However, acknowledging the need for change is only the first step in what promises to be a lengthy and challenging road to recovery. The party’s leadership understands that mere introspection won’t suffice; substantive reforms will be necessary if the NPP hopes to regain its former political strength and relevance. A critical factor contributing to the party’s downfall, according to some within the NPP, lies in its leadership selection process, which is often seen as outdated and ineffective in identifying the most capable candidates. This concern was echoed by the outgoing Member of Parliament for Asante Akim North, Kwame Andy Appiah Kubi, during a recent appearance on TV3’s Keypoint program. Appiah Kubi did not hold back, accusing the party of allowing “monetisation”—the practice of prioritizing financial backing over other leadership qualities—to shape its selection process. He contended that this has prevented the emergence of the best candidates to lead the party. “Monetisation in the NPP will not bring out the best candidates for leadership roles,” Appiah Kubi asserted, making clear that he believes the party’s internal dynamics have been distorted by the growing influence of money in politics. He pointed out that such practices ultimately undermine the NPP’s ability to connect with voters and field strong, credible candidates who truly represent the interests of the people. The concerns raised by Appiah Kubi reflect a wider, ongoing debate within the party about its evolving identity and internal culture. As political parties globally face increasing challenges around voter engagement and trust, the NPP’s struggle to adapt to changing political dynamics in Ghana may be a cautionary tale about the risks of prioritizing financial power over a strong vision for governance. The NPP’s failure to present an effective response to voter concerns, coupled with its internal leadership battles, has led to disenchantment among some voters, which could explain part of the party’s loss. In the coming months, as the party evaluates the reasons behind its defeat, it will need to tackle these issues head-on. The proposed reforms—specifically within the party’s leadership selection mechanisms—could be critical to rebuilding the NPP’s standing with both its base and the electorate at large. The stakes are high: the NPP faces the dual challenge of revitalizing its image while addressing internal dysfunction. How the party navigates these internal reforms will likely play a decisive role in its ability to reclaim its political influence in future elections.

As investors continue to digest the implications of this significant uptrend, many are wondering whether this rally is sustainable in the long run. While short-term fluctuations are common in the stock market, the underlying fundamentals driving this surge appear robust, suggesting that this upward momentum may have legs. The commitment of governments to support economic growth, coupled with improving corporate performance, paints a positive picture for investors looking to capitalize on the current market conditions.The swift collapse of the Assad regime serves as a powerful reminder of the fragility of authoritarian rule and the importance of maintaining the support and trust of the people. When a regime loses the hearts and minds of its citizens, its days are inevitably numbered. The downfall of the Assad family is a cautionary tale for tyrants everywhere, a testament to the enduring power of the people when united in their quest for freedom and justice.

You’re a game changer, Senator Barau eulogises Ganduje at 75Chandigarh: Punjab power minister Harbhajan Singh on Saturday claimed that the Punjab State Power Corporation (PSPCL) had managed to save around Rs 1,000 crore by procuring cheaper coal from the Pachhwara coal mine . The minister said that supply from the coal mine operational again in Dec 2022 had proven to be a cost-effective alternative to sourcing coal from Coal India Limited. He added that the Pachhwara coal mine had been inoperative since 2015. “Coal from Pachhwara is Rs 11 crore cheaper per 1 lakh metric tonne compared to obtaining coal from Coal India Limited. Till now, PSPCL has procured 92 lakh metric tonne of coal from Pachhwara, transported through a total of 2,400 rakes,” he said. “As a result of this initiative, the thermal plants in Punjab are no longer facing any coal shortages. The Guru Gobind Singh Super Thermal Power Plant in Ropar has a coal stock sufficient for 35 days, Sri Guru Hargobind Thermal Plant in Lehra Mohabbat has a 26-day stock, and the Sri Guru Amardas Thermal Power Plant in Goindwal Sahib has a 28-day stock,” he said. He also highlighted the acquisition of the 540 MW GVK Thermal Plant, now known as the Sri Guru Amardas Thermal Plant in Goindwal Sahib. “Purchased at a rate of Rs 2 crore per MW, this plant alone is generating annual savings of Rs 350 crore. Since the acquisition, the plant's power generation capacity, measured by the plant load factor, has doubled, increasing from 35% to 77%,” he said. Located in Jharkhand, the Pachhwara coal mine has a capacity of 70 lakh tonne of coal per year and coal from the mine has an ash content of 32%, lower than the 41% ash content of coal from other sources. The mine was cancelled by the Supreme Court in 2014 but was reallocated to the PSPCL in 2015. In Sept 2021, the Supreme Court allowed Punjab to resume work at the mine after years of legal issues. We also published the following articles recently Coal India plans to develop 36 new mines in next 5 years: Govt State-owned Coal India Ltd plans to develop 36 new mining projects in the next five years, while Singareni Collieries Company Ltd and NLC India Ltd will open seven and two new mines respectively. The Coal Ministry has allocated 175 coal blocks, with 54 currently operational. In 2023-24, India produced 997.8 million tonnes of coal, addressing environmental impacts through detailed assessments. Car Smoke Bad, Coal Smoke Not So Much? Diesel cars in Delhi-NCR face strict emission norms under BS VI standards, impacting vehicles bought just years ago. Refinery upgrades for BS VI cost 35,000 crore. While cars comply, coal-burning power plants lag in implementing SO2 scrubbers, with many plants missing deadlines. Despite rising solar energy, new thermal plants could increase coal-based power and associated emissions. 10 largest silver mines from across the world Silver extraction, although hazardous, is innovatively and effectively executed in the worlds top 10 largest silver mines. Key players include mines in Mexico, Australia, and Bolivia, which consistently implement advanced techniques. Notables are Mexicos historic Fresnillo, Australias Cannington, and Bolivias San Cristobal, making significant global contributions through enhanced safety and efficiency.

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