New Delhi: India’s fully indigenous 4G technology stack, namely Bharat Telecom Stack, has been deployed across about 1 lakh BSNL towers, and it has been proven ready for global export, a report has said. This technology can become a significant source of foreign exchange earnings and enhance India’s tech export portfolio, according to the report from India Narrative. India’s 4G technology stack promises faster and more reliable internet speeds, seamless connectivity, and improved network resilience. This achievement positions the country among an elite group of five nations with end-to-end telecom stack capability, strengthens digital sovereignty by reducing reliance on foreign technology and mitigates cybersecurity risks. The system utilises core network technology from C-DOT, radio equipment from Tejas Networks, and received systems integration by Tata Consultancy Services (TCS). It is upgradable to 5G, enhancing India’s preparedness for future telecom advancements while boosting national security, the report added. Add Zee News as a Preferred Source The operational rollout of the 4G stack has improved connectivity in rural and remote areas, enhancing broadband coverage and inclusion. Further, it said that developing a full 4G stack domestically is a remarkable technological feat because telecom infrastructure traditionally relies heavily on foreign technology suppliers, usually from the US, China, Europe, and South Korea. By mastering this complex technology, India closes a critical dependency gap and gains full control over the telecom infrastructure that underpins much of its digital ecosystem, it noted. The system’s upgradability to 5G and plans for 6G provide a roadmap for India’s continued leadership in telecom technology. The government and industry expect the line of telecom equipment manufacturing, supported by schemes like the Production-Linked Incentive (PLI), to attract more investments, stimulate high-skill jobs, and catalyse a high-value manufacturing ecosystem.

New Delhi: Motorola announced the rollout of Android 16 across its smartphone portfolio. Android 16 introduced a wide range of enhancements designed around simplicity, security, and connectivity, the company said. With Notification Auto Grouping, users can keep their devices clutter-free as apps are prevented from overwhelming them with multiple alerts. Improved support for hearing devices provides clearer calls and easier control across brands, including LE Audio devices for noisy environments. Instant Hotspot allows devices signed into the same Google account to connect automatically without the need for passwords, offering frictionless connectivity across tablets and Chromebooks. The update also brings in “Modes”, a new feature that lets users personalize their device behavior based on activity, whether sleeping, driving, or working. Each mode can control notifications, app behavior, and display or sound settings, while Advanced Protection delivers stronger security with a single tap. Users will also experience a refreshed interface, smarter system settings, new diagnostics tools, expanded battery insights, improved accessibility, and Moto Secure 5.5 with features like Secure Power-Off, ensuring that Motorola devices remain future-ready. The Android 16 rollout begins with the three models – Motorola Edge 60 Pro, Motorola Edge 60 Fusion, and Motorola Edge 50 Pro. “These devices have already set benchmarks in design, performance, and camera technology. Now with the integration of Android 16, they are further elevated to deliver a more seamless, secure, and personalized smartphone experience,” the company said in an official press release. Add Zee News as a Preferred Source Commenting on the rollout, T.M. Narasimhan, Managing Director, Motorola India, said, “The rollout of Android 16 on our smartphones demonstrates our commitment to providing faster, smarter, and more secure updates. We are ensuring our users experience the very best of hardware and software innovation combined. Android 16 brings the latest innovations from Google, enhanced with our own privacy and security features like Moto Secure, empowering users with personalization, connectivity, and security.”  “The speed of this rollout reflects our unwavering focus on customer-centricity and elevating the overall user experience,” he further said. The rollout is being progressively extended to additional Motorola devices, the company confirmed.

Google has revised its Work from Anywhere (WFA) policy, a popular benefit that allowed employees to work from a location outside their main office for up to four weeks a year. Under the new rule, even one day of remote work will now count as a full week, according to internal company documents. The change, which came into effect recently, means employees can no longer use WFA days to work from home or nearby locations. The policy was designed for staff to work temporarily from a different city, state, or country, not as an extension of regular work-from-home days. A company document reportedly stated, “Whether you log one WFA day or five WFA days in a given standard work week, one WFA week will be deducted from your annual balance.” This means that an employee using just a single day remotely in a week will lose a full week from their WFA allowance. Add Zee News as a Preferred Source Google first introduced the WFA program during the Covid-19 pandemic, along with its hybrid work schedule, which allows employees to work from home two days a week. The hybrid policy remains unchanged. However, the WFA update is part of Google’s broader push to bring employees back to offices. Earlier this year, Google also offered voluntary buyouts to some U.S.-based full-time employees and warned that remote workers who failed to follow the hybrid schedule could face layoffs. Under the new rules, employees cannot work from a Google office located in another state or country during their WFA period due to “legal and financial implications of cross-border work.” Those who choose to work from another location must follow local business hours corresponding to that time zone. (Also Read: Google Doodle Celebrates 27th Birthday: How Spelling Mistake Shaped The Search Giant – All You Need to Know) The company has clarified that violations of the updated WFA policy could lead to disciplinary action or even termination. However, the rules may not apply to all staff members,  for instance, data center employees and those required to be physically present in offices may be excluded. The revised policy has reportedly caused confusion among employees. During a recent all-hands meeting, one employee asked why a single WFA day would count as an entire week. In response, John Casey, Google’s Vice President of Performance and Rewards, said that WFA was always meant to be taken in week-long blocks and not as a replacement for standard work-from-home arrangements.

New Delhi: Qualcomm India showcased a wide range of innovations, from Edge AI and 6G to smart homes, connected devices, and advanced compute platforms — at the India Mobile Congress (IMC) 2025, highlighting how its technologies are driving India’s digital transformation. The company presented its vision for an intelligent and connected India through three pillars — Personal AI, Physical AI, and Industrial AI — reflecting Qualcomm’s focus on providing scalable, secure, and India-first solutions across consumer, enterprise, and infrastructure domains. Qualcomm has been a long-time partner in India’s technology journey, supporting the country from 3G to 5G, while actively preparing for 6G through early-stage research, strategic partnerships, and local R&D investments. At IMC 2025, Qualcomm highlighted the power of Edge AI combined with 5G as the twin pillars of India’s digital future. Its platforms are enabling real-time, low-latency intelligence across industries, including automotive, industrial IoT, mobile devices, and compute solutions. Add Zee News as a Preferred Source Demonstrations included on-device generative AI for smartphones and industrial devices, AI-powered surveillance, intelligent wearables like smartwatches and earbuds, and connected vehicles, all delivering seamless, multimodal experiences. Savi Soin, Senior Vice President and President of Qualcomm India, said, “IMC 2025 reflects India’s strong digital momentum. Qualcomm is proud to lead with technologies that are cutting-edge and India-first, from Edge AI and 6G to smart homes and secure video solutions.” The company also announced key collaborations with Indian partners to expand its ecosystem. To nurture the next generation of AI talent in India, Qualcomm launched the Qualcomm AI Upskilling Programme: Technical Foundation, aimed at students, developers, and professionals. The program covers AI and ML fundamentals, Edge AI, generative AI, and practical experience with Qualcomm’s AI Hub, helping participants build on-device AI applications. Through these initiatives, Qualcomm India is reinforcing its role as a digital transformation partner for the nation. By supporting Make in India, advancing 6G, enabling AI upskilling, and working closely with partners and policymakers, Qualcomm is contributing to an inclusive, innovative, and globally competitive digital future for India.

New Delhi: India’s fintech ecosystem has witnessed the entry of over 11,000 new players in the past decade, which have raised nearly $200 billion in total capital, but a smaller number of platforms are emerging as dominant nodes, a report said on Tuesday. India’s fintech sector is at a critical inflexion point, influenced by open digital public infrastructure, progressive regulation, and a vast underserved consumer base, the report from Beams Fintech Fund and Alvarez & Marsal said. The report identified a dual dynamic driving the market. Interoperable frameworks like UPI, Aadhaar, and the Account Aggregator ecosystem have facilitated deep inclusion and rapid innovation, but advantages in data, distribution, and compliance are enabling a smaller number of platforms to become dominant players, it said. Add Zee News as a Preferred Source This duality can be seen even in the lending segment, which is the largest recipient of fintech funding, receiving around 38 per cent of total funding, with $7.2 billion raised since 2020. The report noted that the demand for seamless, digital-first personal credit fuels growth in this segment. “Capital continues to flow into areas where technology is reshaping financial services, from embedded finance and compliance-related platforms to B2B SaaS models that power risk, underwriting and integration,” said Sagar Agarvwal, Founder & Managing Partner, Beams Fintech Fund. India remains the world’s largest cross-border remittance market, with inflows of $33 billion in Q1 FY26 alone, creating tailwinds for cross-border payment tech platforms, the release further said. Co-lending and distribution tie-ups are becoming mainstream as banks and NBFCs partner with fintech originators, while super-apps channel credit for partner lenders Disbursements by fintech NBFCs have grown by a CAGR of 88 per cent between FY22 and FY24 to reach $17 billion, outpacing traditional players on growth by leveraging technology, alternative data, and digital-first distribution, it noted.

New Delhi: India’s telecom sector continued its upward trajectory in August, with the number of active mobile subscribers reaching 1,086.18 million, representing approximately 93.07 per cent of the total 1,167.03 million wireless subscriber base. The data, released by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI), highlights steady growth in mobile, broadband, and wireless services across both urban and rural regions. During the month, 15.05 million subscribers submitted requests for Mobile Number Portability (MNP), reflecting ongoing consumer demand for improved connectivity and services. The total number of wireless (mobile + fixed wireless access) subscribers grew from 1,171.91 million in July 2025 to 1,178.03 million in August 2025, marking a monthly growth rate of 0.52 per cent. Urban wireless subscriptions rose by 0.66 per cent, from 641.03 million to 645.27 million, while rural subscriptions increased by 0.36 per cent, from 530.88 million to 532.76 million. Urban areas continued to dominate with a 54.78 per cent share, while rural users accounted for 45.22 per cent of total wireless subscribers. Add Zee News as a Preferred Source Wireless tele-density — a measure of mobile penetration — increased to 83.12 per cent, up from 82.75 per cent in July. Urban wireless tele-density climbed to 126.38 per cent, while rural tele-density slightly improved to 58.76 per cent. In the broadband segment, subscriptions saw modest but positive growth, rising from 984.69 million in July to 989.58 million in August, translating to a 0.50 per cent monthly growth rate. Data was reported from 1,426 operators across the country. In contrast, the wireline subscriber base declined during the same period, dropping from 48.11 million to 46.51 million, marking a net decrease of 1.61 million subscribers and a 3.34 per cent monthly contraction. India’s overall wireline tele-density fell to 3.28 per cent, down from 3.40 per cent in July. Urban wireline tele-density stood at 8.13 per cent, while rural wireline tele-density remained significantly lower at 0.55 per cent. Urban subscribers made up 89.28 per cent of the total wireline base, whereas rural users accounted for 10.72 per cent. Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) — including BSNL, MTNL, and APSFL — continued to maintain a presence with a 20.53 per cent share of the wireline market.

New Delhi: In the next six-eight months, the indigenously-developed Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) 4G network will be upgraded to 5G, Union Communications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia said on Sunday. Addressing the ‘Kautilya Economic Enclave 2025’ in the national capital, the minister said India has entered into the club of 4G technology with its own 4G standard. “This is India’s innovation capability and innovation enterprise. But we are not going to rest. Within the next six to eight months, we will be switching these 4G towers to 5G networks and providing end-to-end 5G network capability across the length and breadth of India,” Scindia told the gathering. Reflecting on the conclave’s theme “Seeking Prosperity in Turbulent Times,” the Minister said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India has transformed global challenges into opportunities through foresight and resilience. Add Zee News as a Preferred Source India has joined a select group of five nations capable of delivering a complete, indigenous telecom ecosystem. BSNL has returned to profitability after 17 years, with its subscriber base rising from 78 lakh to 2.2 crore within a year. Scindia noted that all towers are upgradable to 5G, preparing India for future technological demands. He said India is set to become the world’s second-largest economy by 2027, demonstrating the nation’s ability to harness both wealth and intellect. Last month, BSNL launched the Bharat Telecom Stack or intelligent ‘Swadesh 4G Network’, which will connect over 26,700 villages with high-speed internet connectivity for the first time. BSNL unveiled the network, which is a modern and secure solution designed and developed entirely in India in collaboration with Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DOT), and Tejas Networks Limited. With this launch, India becomes the fifth country in the world to have built a self-reliant, indigenous telecom technology stack supporting 4G and beyond. Over 2.2 crore citizens will now have access to 4G data at affordable prices. Additionally, people in rural areas can now have services like digital learning, smarter farming tools and 24×7 telemedicine.

New Delhi: The Telecommunication Engineering Centre (TEC), the technical arm of the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the International Institute of Information Technology (IIIT), Naya Raipur, the Ministry of Communication said in a statement on Saturday. The partnership aims to jointly work on research, innovation, and standardisation in next-generation telecommunications technologies. This collaboration brings together TEC’s leadership in telecom standardisation and IIIT Naya Raipur’s expertise in academic research to strengthen India’s role in global telecom innovation, the ministry said. The partnership will focus on several key areas. One important area is Open RAN and network disaggregation, where both institutions will work on developing open interfaces, modular architectures, virtualisation, and ensuring interoperability across vendors. Add Zee News as a Preferred Source Another focus area is cognitive radio and spectrum sharing, where research will be carried out on coexistence frameworks and studies that align with global spectrum policies, including the agenda of the upcoming World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC-27). In addition, joint research will be undertaken in 5G, 6G, and IoT frameworks, including the creation of advanced test environments to support future generations of networks. Both partners will also actively contribute to global and national standardisation efforts, participating in ITU-T Study Groups and TEC’s National Working Groups to represent India’s interests. A significant part of the collaboration will be the development of India-specific test frameworks, standards, and interoperability solutions tailored to the country’s diverse digital ecosystem. These efforts will help ensure that solutions are affordable, interoperable, and suited to India’s unique connectivity needs. The partnership will boost India’s participation in international telecom standards and policy forums. By creating joint research testbeds and real-world collaborations, it will accelerate innovation in emerging communication technologies. “It also supports the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat by fostering indigenous research, design, and development in telecom,” the statement said. The initiative will promote affordable, interoperable, and vendor-neutral solutions tailored for India’s diverse connectivity needs, while preparing the nation for 6G networks and advanced IoT applications.