Telecom Minister News

According to a telecom ministry spokesperson, financial support for the project will be provided by Universal Services Obligation Fund. The project was announced by Telecom Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw at three-day long 'Digital India Conference of State IT Ministers' that concluded on October 3.

"I am grateful to the PM for entrusting me with such responsibility. In telecom, I will first hold meetings to take a long-term view, and also see how a greater synergy can be driven in IT and communications," Prasad told reporters after being named the Minister for the three portfolios.

Malaysian business tycoon T Ananda Krishnan and top official of his Maxis Group Augustus Ralph Marshall, who are accused in Rs 742.58 crore Aircel-Maxis deal, on Friday got a stern warning for "running away" from Indian court of law by the Supreme Court which said it will ensure that "there is no absconder".

The call drop menace has reduced over the last two months, Telecom Minister Manoj Sinha said today even as he cautioned operators that the service quality has to improve further or they will be "out of the sector" that has an "open and competitive market".

The Department of Telecom is in favour of giving more penal power to telecom regulator Trai that will enable the sectoral watchdog to impose fine on telecom operators for poor services including call drops.

Customers of state-run BSNL will be able to make free unlimited calls on any network tomorrow also.

As call drop problem persists, the new Telecom Minister Manoj Sinha on Friday said resolving the issue is the "top priority" and hoped for "qualitative improvement" in 4-5 months with a mega-spectrum auction likely to be held in September.

Senior BJP leader Ravi Shankar Prasad, who is the new Minister for Law and Justice, will continue to look after Department of IT and Electronics. So far, Prasad was handling both Communications and IT portfolios.

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs today approved 9 percent increase in pension of 1.88 lakh BSNL employees who retired between 2007-13.

New Delhi: Telecom Secretary J S Deepak will deliberate on the problem of call drop, investments in the sector and ongoing policy reforms with CEOs of service providers on June 10.

The single emergency number '112' will be operational throughout India from January 1 to help people reach immediate services of police, ambulance and fire department.

Amid worries that government's move to make panic button mandatory will increase cost of mobile handsets, telecom minister Ravi Shankar Prasad today said he will take up the issue up with the industry.

India is all set to be home to 500 million smartphones soon said Telecom Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad on Thursday

The China-based Huawei is evaluating ways to start production of mobile phones in India through contract manufacturing in association with Foxconn and is currently studying the business models and tax incentives

Industry body COAI has alleged that BSNL's new app-based service for making calls is in violation to licence norms, but the telecom PSU has rebutted the charge

Technology giant Apple Inc and other global players are exploring opportunities to invest in India's electronic segment, which has attracted investments of over Rs 1.2 lakh crore so far, Telecom Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said on Monday

Government will finalise the policy on net neutrality after taking into account proposals of sectoral regulator Trai and the Department of Telecom's panel

Tech giant Apple has sought permission from the government to import pre-owned iPhones for sale in India, Parliament was informed today.

Backing Arun Jaitley who is facing allegations of corruptions during his tenure as the DDCA president, Telecom Minister said that that political differences should not have any place in a campaign like this.

A top official in the ministry said it will be conveyed to the owners that in case quality of service does not improve, option of levying penalty under licence conditions is not ruled out.