India's telecom regulator plans to recommend that satellite broadband spectrum be allotted for around five years to assess initial market adoption, defying Elon Musk's Starlink, which is seeking a 20-year permit, said a senior government source.

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) is currently working on key recommendations to the federal government, including a time frame and pricing of satellite spectrum, which will be administratively allotted.

Larsen & Toubro (L&T) on Thursday said it has entered into a pact with ACWA Power, a developer in the Middle East, to build a desalination plant in Saudi Arabia.

The water and effluent treatment business of L&T won the order in a joint venture with Lantania of Spain.

The DMK-led Tamil Nadu government has decided to remove the official rupee symbol (₹) from the state’s Budget 2025, replacing it with the Tamil script. This marks the first time a state has rejected the national currency symbol, taking its resistance to the National Education Policy (NEP) to a new level.

The decision to remove ₹ symbol from the state Budget comes amid the ongoing tussle between Tamil Nadu with the Centre over alleged Hindi imposition.

Jairam Ramesh, general secretary in-charge communications of the Congress party has targeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi again, this time in connection with the partnerships between the telecom and satellite players.

US billionaire Elon Musk’s SpaceX has entered into an agreement with telecom provider Airtel to introduce Starlink services in India.

State-owned Power Finance Corporation on Wednesday said its board has approved Rs 1,40,000 crore borrowing plan for 2025-26 and also approved fourth interim dividend of Rs 3.5 per share for 2024-25.

The Board of Directors of Power Finance Corporation Ltd. (PFC), in its meeting held on March 12, 2025, approved a total borrowing of Rs 1,40,000 crore for 2025-26, a regulatory filing stated.

Bharti Enterprises’ Chairperson Sunil Bharti Mittal has welcomed the collaboration between telecom companies and satellite players.

According to ANI report, Mittal called it a major step towards global connectivity. The statement comes after Airtel and Reliance Jio partnered with SpaceX to bring Starlink satellite internet service to India.

To meet the growing demand for premium travel, private carrier Air India has introduced Premium Economy fares starting at Rs 599 above standard Economy fares on domestic flights for a limited period, offering an affordable upgrade with pricing that varies by route and demand.

Air India has expanded its Premium Economy Class offering, fueled by the doubling of premium seat sales over the past three years.

BJP State President and MLA BY Vijayendra criticized the Karnataka Congress government, led by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, for forming Guarantee Implementation Committees and using taxpayers' money to pay their salaries, calling it a "disgraceful" act.

A BJP-JD(S) protest took place today near the Kengal Hanumanthaiah statue at Vidhana Soudha in Bengaluru.

The government is not privatising state-run telecom firms Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd (BSNL) and Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Ltd (MTNL), Minister of State for Rural Development and Communications Pemmasani Chandra Sekhar said on Wednesday.

Replying to a question in Parliament, Sekhar said that last month, the government had approved an additional capital expenditure plan of Rs 6,982 crore (Rs 69.82 billion) for BSNL.

Mukesh Ambani-led Jio Platforms Limited said on Wednesday it signed a deal with SpaceX to bring Starlink's internet services to India, a day after rival Bharti Airtel inked a similar pact.

"This agreement, which is subject to SpaceX receiving its own authorisations to sell Starlink in India, enables Jio and SpaceX to explore how Starlink can extend Jio’s offerings and how Jio can complement SpaceX’s direct offerings to consumers and businesses," the company said in a statement.

Inviting Real Estate Agents, Job Placements Agents, Educational Institutes, Software Service Providers, Real Estate Builders, Marriage Bureaus, Travel Agents, Restaurant Owners, Health & Fitness Centers and other Local Businesses to Post a FREE Classified Advertisement on Cootera.com Classifieds Website.