OnePlus Nord CE 6 Lite 5G, OnePlus Nord CE 6 5G Availability

OnePlus Nord CE 6 will be available for the customers in India starting May 8, 2026, 12 PM. OnePlus Nord CE 6 Lite on the other hand will go on sale in India on May 12, 2026, at 12 PM. Both tthe devices will go on sale in India through Amazon.com, and the official website of OnePlus India along with the company’s partner retails stores.

These devices will be available in Fresh Blue, Lunar Pearl, and Pitch Black colourways. The devices seem packed with a lot of power and a huge battery. So it will be interesting to see how they perform when it comes to sales for the brand.

The CMF Watch 3 Pro brings together a bright and immersive AMOLED display with precision mettal build and dual-band multi-system GPS for accurate tracking. The smartwatch is paired with up to 13-day battery life and is designed to deliver reliable performance while helping users stay on top of their health and routines.

More details around the launch and the smartwatch are expected to be teased and revealed by the brand in the coming days.

OnePlus Pad 4 Price in India

OnePlus Pad 4 is a premium tablet, and it will go on open sale from May 5, 2026. There are two variants of the tablets:

• 8GB + 256GB = Rs 54,999
• 12GB + 512GB = Rs 59,999

There’s an instant bank discount of up to Rs 5,000 with select cards on both the variants. As part of the launch offer, the customers will get the OnePlus Stylo Pro worth Rs 5,499 completely free. The device will be available on Amazon, Flipkart, OnePlus.in, and OnePlus Store app.

OnePlus Pad 4 Specifications in India

OnePlus Pad 4 comes with 13.2-inch 3.4K ultra-clear display with support for 315 PPI clarity, Dolby Vision support, and 12-bit colour depth, with support for 1000nits of HBM brightness. It also supports high-refresh rate of 144Hz and a touch-sampling rate. The tablet has 7:5 ReadFit aspect ratio and 89.4% screen-to-body ratio.

The tablet packs a 13,380mAh battery with support for 80W SUPERVOOC fast-charging. It will run on the latest OxygenOS 16 based on Android 16 out of the box. It is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 SoC coupled with up to 12GB of LPDDR5x RAM and up to 512GB of UFS 4.1 internal storage. The tablet has scored an AnTuTu score of 4.1 million points.

It is powered by an eight hi-fi speaker system with four woofers and four tweeters. OnePlus has launched its most powerful tablet in the country yet. It will be available soon in the market for the users.

Apart from this, Google in its latest blog said that Gemini will also come with support for technical formats such as LaTeX and Markdown (MD). Now you can just tell Gemini to prepare a budget report and then export it as an Excel file in one command, and Gemini will get it done for you. Once the file is generated, users will get the option to download it locally to their device or they can also export it to the Google Drive.

We expect more features and updates to be added to Gemini in the near future to help it compete with platforms such as Claude from Anthropic and ChatGPT from OpenAI.

Reliance Jio Rs 355 Prepaid Plan Benefits

Reliance Jio Rs 355 prepaid plan comes with 30 days of service validity. The benefits of this plan are 25GB of data and unlimited voice calling and 100 SMS/day. The additional benefits bundled with this plan are JioHotstar Mobile subscription for three months, and 50GB of JioAICloud storage for free. Along with this, Jio is offering free access to Google Gemini AI Pro subscription worth Rs 35,100 with 5000GB of cloud storage and things such as Nano Banana and more.

Bharti Airtel Rs 355 Prepaid Plan Benefits

Bharti Airtel Rs 355 prepaid plan comes with 30 days of service validity as well. The benefits of this plan are  also 25GB of data and unlimited voice calling and 300 SMS in total. The additional benefit bundled with this plan is Adobe Express Premium for 12 months. This benefit is worth Rs 4,000 for the customers.

In our view, Jio’s plan here offers several more additional benefits than Airtel’s and also the add-on benefits with Jio are worth a lot more. Airtel’s plan is also good for customers who are specifically looking for Airtel’s network services or the Adobe Express Premium subscription.

The government has clearly stated that these are only test messages and do not require any action from users. However, the rollout marks a significant shift in how disaster alerts will be delivered in India in the future.

The initiative is being led by the Department of Telecommunications under the Ministry of Communications, in collaboration with the National Disaster Management Authority the objective is to strengthen mobile based disaster communication systems to ensure that critical alerts reach citizens quickly and reliably, especially during emergencies.

At the core of this system is the Integrated Alert System called SACHET, which has already been operationalised by NDMA. Developed by the Centre for Development of Telematics, SACHET is based on the Common Alerting Protocol, a globally recognised standard recommended by the International Telecommunication Union.

The system is currently active across all 36 States and Union Territories in India and has been extensively used by disaster management authorities. So far, it has enabled the delivery of more than 134 billion SMS alerts in over 19 Indian languages. These alerts have been used during cyclones, severe weather warnings, and other natural disasters to inform citizens in affected areas.

While SMS alerts have played a crucial role, the government is now introducing Cell Broadcast technology to further strengthen alert dissemination in time critical scenarios. These include events such as earthquakes, tsunamis, lightning strikes, and even man made emergencies like gas leaks or chemical hazards unlike SMS, which sends messages individually to users, Cell Broadcast technology transmits alerts to all mobile devices within a defined geographic area simultaneously. This allows for near real time delivery of alerts, even in situations where mobile networks may be congested due to high usage during emergencies.

The indigenous development and implementation of this Cell Broadcast based alert system has been entrusted to C-DOT, aligning with the government’s push towards building local telecom technologies and infrastructure.

As part of the rollout, nationwide testing and trials are currently underway these tests are aimed at assessing the system’s performance, reliability, and compatibility across networks before its formal launch and dedication to the nation.

During this testing phase, users may receive multiple test alerts on their mobile devices. These messages will be sent in English, Hindi, and regional languages to ensure broad reach and inclusivity across diverse user groups.

Importantly, these test messages will only be received on devices where Cell Broadcast test channels are enabled. Users can control this setting by navigating to their phone settings under Safety and Emergency alerts and enabling Wireless Emergency Alerts followed by Test Alerts. Since this is a system level validation exercise, some users may receive the same message multiple times as authorities test delivery across different regions and network conditions.

The government has reiterated that these alerts are part of a planned testing exercise and should be ignored. No action is required from the recipient side, even if the message is received more than once.

To avoid confusion, the authorities have also shared the exact format of the test message being sent. The English version reads:

This is a TEST Cell Broadcast message sent by the National Disaster Management Authority in coordination with the Department of Telecommunications, Government of India, as part of testing the Cell Broadcast solution for disseminating alerts. During the testing of the Cell Broadcast solution, you may receive this message multiple times on your mobile handset. Please ignore these messages; no action is required at your end.

A similar message is also being sent in Hindi and other regional languages to ensure that users across the country clearly understand that this is only a test.

Once fully operational, the Cell Broadcast system is expected to work across all mobile handsets, regardless of whether test channels are enabled. This means that during actual emergencies, alerts can be delivered instantly to a wide population without requiring any manual settings from users.

For India, this marks an important evolution in disaster preparedness. With increasing climate related risks and rising urban density, the ability to deliver real time alerts can play a critical role in saving lives and minimising damage.

Globally, Cell Broadcast systems are already used in countries like the United States and Japan for emergency communication. India’s adoption of this technology brings it in line with global best practices, while also tailoring the system for local requirements such as multilingual support and large scale deployment.

The ongoing testing phase is expected to continue until authorities are confident about the system’s performance across networks and devices. Public cooperation during this period remains important, even if it simply involves ignoring the test alerts.

In the long run, the integration of Cell Broadcast with existing SMS based systems signals a more robust and layered approach to disaster communication in India. Instead of relying on a single channel, authorities are building redundancy to ensure that critical alerts reach citizens through multiple pathways.

For now, users receiving these alerts can view them as part of a larger effort to build a faster, more reliable, and inclusive emergency communication system for the country.

It was already showcased at the Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2026. Let’s take a look at the price and specifications of the tablet.

Lenovo Idea Tab Pro Gen 2 Price in India

Lenovo Idea Tab Pro Gen 2 is priced at Rs 39,999 for the 8GB of RAM and 256GB of internal storage. The tablet will be available on e-commerce websites and Lenovo.com starting May 1, 2026. There will be an instant bank discount of Rs 3,000 on the tablet along with a one-year warranty for the tablet.

Lenovo Idea Tab Pro Gen 2 Specifications in India

Lenovo Idea Tab Pro Gen 2 comes with the following specifications:

• 13-inch display with 3.5K LCD panel with Dolby Vision, 144Hz refresh rate and 600nits of peak brightness and up to 800nits of high-brightness mode (HBM).
• The tablet is powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 SoC coupled with 8GB of RAM and 256GB of internal storage.
• It will run on Android 16 out of the box and will get two years of Android OS updates along with four years of security patches until 2030.
• Lenovo Idea Tab Pro Gen 2 comes with a dual-camera setup at the rear – 13MP camera with autofocus and an 8MP front camera sensor with fixed focus.
• Lenovo has packed a 10200mAh batteery with 45W fast-charging.

HD has basically become the default now, so people notice right away when visuals aren’t clear. Blurry or low-quality footage can take away from even strong content and make it feel a bit dated. The good part is there’s no need to start over with new recordings.

Old SD videos can be upgraded to HD with a simple process. This guide breaks it down in a clear way, so you know what happens at each step and how to get it done without confusion.

The Technical Reality of Resolution

When scaling a video from SD to HD, you’re essentially asking something to fill in gaps of information that just aren’t there in the original file. A standard 480p video typically contains around 307,200 pixels per frame – not a lot.

While an HD 1080p frame has more than double that – a whopping 2 million. For a long time, the way software used to scale the image was just to duplicate what was already there – which looks pretty rough and often ‘blocky’. Newer tools are now using clever algorithms that can actually predict what detail should be there and make some educated guesses about the missing bits.

The upshot of which is that edges get restored, noise is reduced and textures end up looking a lot more stable. For anyone working in e commerce or just wanting to keep some old footage looking good – all of this is pretty important to keep things looking as good as they possibly can.

Can You Really Convert SD to HD?

Yes, but there is a limit. Upscaling increases resolution. It adds pixels to the video. Basic tools stretch the image. That often makes things worse.

Modern tools use AI to rebuild missing details. They take a close look at each frame, and with a bit of magic, make things clearer. The end result is a good approximation of what HD looks like but still, won’t be the same as footage that was shot in HD from the get go. The goal here is to improve things a bit, not try and make it perfect.

Best Approach to Convert SD to HD

If you want better quality without spending hours editing, AI tools are the best option.
They handle:

• Resolution increase
• Noise reduction
• Detail recovery

You can use a dedicated video quality enhancer or a video upscaler, depending on your needs. Currently, Vmake is one of the best AI tools in the market to convert SD to HD.

Vmake: Smart Upscaling from SD to HD

Vmake is an AI-based video enhancement tool built for quick upscaling and cleanup. Its focus is on nailing the video quality without needing you to be an editing pro (and who has the time and patience for that). You just need to upload a clip, pick what you want it to come out as, and let the system get on with it.

Under the hood it is using AI models to perk up the details, reduce any noise, and give the overall picture a bit of a polish. Since it runs online, there is no need to install heavy software. That makes Vmake a lifesaver for content creators, marketers and anyone else working with older footage who needs to get clean, fast results without diving into a complicated workflow. Some of its key features include.

Key enhancement modes include:

• De-AI Mode: This one gives AI-generated clips a more natural feel by dialling down the over-smoothing, fixing those annoying repeated textures, and getting the light and colour levels just right – all while keeping artefacts down to a minimum
• Portrait Restoration Mode: This mode is a real winner – it not only improves facial detail and hair clarity but also gives skin a more natural texture – and to top it all off it reduces that awful flicker and avoids that weird, “plastic” smooth look.
  Product Enhancement Mode: If you’re making product videos or ads, this mode’s your best bet – it sharpens up text and graphics, corrects those pesky colour shifts and keeps material details looking crisp and clear.
• Low-Light & Night Repair Mode: This one’s a lifesaver – it cleans up noise, brings back detail in the shadows, and makes a real difference in dark or uneven lighting situations.
• Anime & Animation Mode: Enhances color and sharpness while keeping the original art style stable across frames.

Step-by-Step Method to Convert SD to HD Using Vmake

Step 1: Getting Your Footage Ready
Make sure your SD file is in a format that VMAKE will accept – MP4, MOV, or AVI. While the video quality enhancer can correct a lot of visual problems, but the starting file still matters. If you begin with the least compressed version of your SD footage, the final HD result usually looks much cleaner and more detailed.
Step 2: Uploading to the Platform
Head over to the Vmake dashboard and upload your file. You can just drag it and drop it right into the interface – it’s that easy. And if you’re updating a whole library of product videos, the tool supports batch processing, making it a whole lot simpler.

Step 3: Select Enhancement Parameters
After uploading your file, the video upscaler begins processing it in the background. It scans each frame to understand detail, texture, and movement. From there, you can pick the output quality you want. Such as 1080p or 4K, depending on how sharp you want the final video to look.
Step 4: Preview & Fine-Tune
Vmake generates a side-by-side preview of the before and after footage. Take a close look at areas with lots of contrast, like text or sharp edges – this is where the AI will be working to get rid of “mosquito noise” and other artifacts that often come with old SD encodes.
Step 5: Exporting the Final File
After the processing is complete, download the HD version. The software ensures the frame rate remains consistent with your original file to avoid motion jitter.

Comparison: SD vs. HD Output

The following table illustrates the technical shifts that occur during the upscaling process on the platform.

Why Use Vmake Instead of Mobile Apps

Many mobile apps can upscale video. Still, they rely on basic processing.

Here is where Vmake stands out:

• AI handles most of the work
• Better detail recovery
• Cleaner output
• No complex editing

Other apps can upscale videos. You still need to adjust settings manually. Results depend on your edits. Vmake focuses on output quality instead of editing steps. That saves time, especially for repeated tasks.

Tips to Get Better Results

Small adjustments can make a world of difference in the quality of your output. Always start with the original file if you can – Compressed vids tend to lose some of that important detail. Don’t push resolution too far – it’s a rare trick to move from rock bottom to 4K in one go and still end up with something that looks good.

If your footage is noisy or super compressed, do a bit of enhancement before you try upscaling it. And another thing – brighter videos tend to process a lot better, so think about how you’re lighting things. Don’t be afraid to try a few settings out instead of settling on the first one that you see & get a result from.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Many users expect instant perfect results. That leads to poor output.

Here are a few mistakes to watch:
Upscaling low-quality clips too much
Using already compressed videos
Skipping preview before export
Choosing wrong settings

Each step affects the final result.

Wrapping Up

Converting SD videos to HD is no longer complicated. Tools have improved a lot. What once required advanced editing can now be done in a few steps. The key is choosing the right method. Basic upscaling works for quick fixes. Manual editing gives control but takes time. AI tools offer a balance of speed and quality. Vmake fits well in that space. To get started, try a few clips and compare results across different methods. Small tests often show what works best for your content.

At a time when the market is already saturated with unlimited plans and bundled benefits, these smaller packs are not just about affordability. They are about behaviour how users consume data, when they consume it, and increasingly, why they consume it.

While the pricing looks cheaper on a per-day basis, the short validity and repeat recharge cycle mean users could end up spending more overall.

The New Reliance Jio Cricket Data Packs

Jio’s latest set of data packs spans a wide range of price points and usage patterns from ultra short validity packs designed for heavy one-day consumption to longer validity options with OTT benefits, the portfolio appears intentionally segmented.

Here’s a breakdown of Jio Cricket Data Packs:

More Than Just Data Packs

At first glance, these plans may look like incremental additions to Jio’s already extensive prepaid portfolio. However, a closer look reveals a clear pattern Jio is not just selling data anymore. It is structuring consumption around events, especially cricket.

The Rs 49 pack is a clear example with 25GB of data valid for just one day, it is designed for peak usage scenarios likely match days. This is not a traditional value pack. It is a “moment pack,” built for high-intensity, short-duration consumption on the other end, packs like Rs 79, Rs 100, Rs 149, and Rs 195 bring in OTT integration through JioHotstar subscriptions.

Here, the strategy shifts from usage to engagement the telco is not just enabling users to watch content it is trying to keep them within its ecosystem.

The Rise of Micro Recharges

One of the most noticeable trends across these packs is pricing with effective per-day pricing as low as Rs 2.6, Reliance Jio is clearly experimenting with what can be described as micro recharges instead of pushing users towards higher-value monthly plans, these packs allow for smaller, more frequent transactions this approach could have multiple advantages.

First, it lowers the entry barrier for users who may not want to commit to larger recharges second, it aligns with how younger users consume data in bursts rather than in steady patterns and third, it opens up the possibility of higher cumulative spending over time, even if individual recharge values remain low.

In a way, this mirrors trends seen in digital payments and content subscriptions, where smaller, frequent payments often outperform larger one time spends.

OTT Bundling Is Becoming Standard

Another key takeaway is the continued push towards OTT bundling almost all cricket-themed packs, except the pure data options, include access to JioHotstar this raises an important question – is OTT still a differentiator?

A few years ago, bundling platforms like Netflix or Prime Video was seen as a premium offering. Today, OTT access is increasingly becoming standard across plans. Jio’s latest packs reinforce this shift.

However, the focus now seems to be less on the platform itself and more on the context in which it is consumed. Cricket, being one of the biggest drivers of digital traffic in India, provides the perfect backdrop.

A Behaviour-Driven Strategy

What makes this launch interesting is not just the plans themselves, but the behaviour they are trying to tap into.

Reliance Jio appears to be targeting three specific user segments:

• Event-driven users who consume large amounts of data during matches
• Casual users who prefer low-cost, flexible recharges
• Content-first users who value OTT access alongside connectivity

By offering multiple entry points across price and usage levels, the telco is effectively creating a layered consumption model.

The Trade-Off for Users

While these packs offer flexibility and affordability, the catch lies in how they are structured while the pricing appears cheaper on a per-day basis, the short validity and need for frequent recharges can push overall spending higher than traditional plans.

Users who repeatedly opt for these smaller packs may end up paying more over time, even if each recharge looks affordable individually.

The Bigger Picture

What looks like a cheaper plan per day may not always be the cheapest over time with these cricket-focused data packs, Reliance Jio is quietly moving beyond the traditional telecom playbook.

By aligning offerings with high-engagement events like cricket and integrating content into the core proposition, Jio is positioning itself as more than just a connectivity provider. It is becoming a platform that sits at the intersection of data, content, and user behaviour.

If this strategy scales, micro recharges and event-based packs could well become a defining trend in India’s telecom market.

The new features are likely going to include three things – Extend, Enhance, and Reframe. These features will enable users to edit the photos on the go in a matter of seconds. Features like refram and extend will allow users to deeply edit the photos, something for which they need to rely on paltforms such as Canva for now.

Lovable has launched its mobile app for the first time. We expect many functionalities to be added in the near future with software updates. It is free to download. Users get free credits every day with a certain limit to vibe code stuff and after that, the user needs to pay for premium credits. What’s cool about Lovable is that users can just interact with the platform using natural language or speak the idea they want to build as a voice prompt.

It will be interesting to see how Lovable’s mobile app will allow users to keep building stuff on the go. It can be downloaded now.

The launch date of the Realme 16x 5G has not yet been announced and there’s no clear launch timeline hinted as well. The phone was spotted and shared online by popular tech tipster Abhishek Yadav on social media platform X (formerly Twitter).

What’s intereting this time is that the phone could be available in a 4GB RAM variant as well. This is not a usual thing for any major device series. With AI (artificial intelligence) workloads that the phones are handline nowadays, it will be interesting to see if people will be satisfied by taking a 4GB RAM variant of the phone.

Realme 16x 5G is expected to start anywhere between Rs 15,000 to Rs 20,000. So yes, while it won’t be an exepensive device, the base variant with 4GB RAM still doesn’t make much sense.

Airtel Africa Plc is being advised by Citigroup for the IPO, and a few more banks are going to be appointed for the same. The target of the company is to list Airtel Money in the first half of calendar year 2026.

Airtel Money offers mobile commerce and banking services across Africa and aims to expand digital banking in the continent. It targets the unbanked population of the region through digitisation. It is basically an entity in Africa, like Airtel Payments Bank in India.

Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL), a state-run Indian telecom operator, has launched rural FTTH (fiber-to-the-home) services for customers across India. The company has launched it more than 79,000 villages. The rural FTTH service from the company is part of a special scheme of Digital Bharat Nidhi (DBN). Under DBN, the government has launched the scheme of free FTTH installation in Panchayat villages as well as other villages using Bharat Net project.

However, there are several plans also for consumers under the rural FTTH service from the telecom operator. The rural Bharatnet FTTH customer will be paying only fixed monthly charges and the connection will be provided by laying OFC on the house/intuition by BSNL free of cost. There’s a special tariff plan offered by BSNL to the rural customers.

BSNL Special Tariff Plan for Rural India

BSNL has a special tariff plan for rural India priced at Rs 399. It may not be available in urban areas of the country. The Rs 399 plan comes with a monthly service validity and offers unlimited voice and unlimited high-speed data. With this, users get up to 40 Mbps of speed with up to 1400GB of data.

In addition, users get 30 months tariff plan of just Rs 5900 and Rs 9900 in rural areas. To book a connection, you can reach out to your nearest BSNL retail outlet or office, or event call the customer care of the telco. Apart from this, BSNL also offers super high-speed plans with higher amounts of data in rural areas. There are even OTT (over-the-top) benefits bundled with select plans.

If you want high-speed and OTT benefits, then just go for the Rs 999 per month plan with 200 Mbps of speed and 5000GB of data along with OTT benefits such as JioHotstar, SonyLIV, Lionsgate, Hungama, Shemaroo, and EpicON. BSNL is one of the best telecom operators in India when it comes to covering rural India whether it is with mobile services or through fiber services.

Over the past day, Vi users in Hyderabad have said they received messages from the operator indicating the availability or upcoming arrival of 5G services while the company has not yet made an official city-specific announcement, such user-level communication typically comes just ahead of a commercial rollout. This has led to growing expectations that Vi’s 5G services could go live in parts of Hyderabad in the near term.

Hyderabad is an important market for any telecom operator, and for Vodafone Idea, the timing of this rollout carries added significance. The city has a large base of tech professionals, startups, and enterprise users, all of whom rely heavily on mobile data for work and entertainment. With increasing usage of streaming platforms, online gaming, and cloud-based services, the demand for faster and more reliable connectivity has continued to rise, making Hyderabad a natural next step in Vi’s 5G expansion.

The city is also already a well established 5G market Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel have rolled out their 5G services across large parts of Hyderabad, setting user expectations around speed, latency, and overall network performance. Vi’s entry into this environment is expected to intensify competition, while also giving users an additional option when it comes to choosing a 5G network.

The Hyderabad rollout is understood to be part of Vi’s broader 5G expansion plan the company had earlier indicated that it would extend its 5G services to more cities in phases, with a larger rollout expected around May. As part of that plan, several cities across South India, including Hyderabad, were identified for deployment. The recent SMS alerts being reported by users suggest that the rollout in Hyderabad is now moving closer to execution.

Unlike some of its rivals, Vodafone Idea has taken a more measured approach to 5G deployment, focusing on expanding in select markets where demand and network readiness are aligned. Hyderabad fits well into this strategy due to its high smartphone penetration, strong data usage patterns, and growing ecosystem of digital users. By prioritising such cities, the company appears to be aiming for a more stable and consistent rollout experience rather than a rapid, nationwide push.

In the initial phase, Vi’s 5G services in Hyderabad are likely to be available in select areas before expanding further across the city. Users in covered zones can expect faster data speeds, lower latency, and improved performance, particularly in high-density locations. However, the overall experience will depend on how quickly the network scales and how consistently it performs across different parts of the city.

Details regarding pricing, plans, and bundled benefits have not yet been announced, and are expected to be revealed closer to the official launch. For now, the focus remains on network availability and early user access.

As the company moves ahead with its expansion, Hyderabad is likely to be one of the key markets where its 5G performance will be closely watched.can

UAE Unveils First Commercial U6GHz Ecosystem

“This is a significant step in the evolution of next-generation mobile infrastructure in the UAE and the world. The milestone reinforces the UAE’s position at the forefront of global digital development and reflects a shift in how networks and regulatory approaches are evolving to handle rising data intensity and AI-driven traffic,” the release said.

During a dedicated session on 5G-Advanced and AI applications at the summit, TDRA’s keynote delivered by Saif Bin Ghelaita, Representative of the Director General of TDRA, reaffirmed the UAE’s aim to become a “10 Giga intelligent nation” and to firmly support the U6GHz IMT industry and plans to build the world’s first commercial U6GHz network in 2026. The authority called on global industry stakeholders, including chipmakers and device manufacturers, to actively participate in building the ecosystem.

A joint commercialization ceremony saw participation from key industry players, including telecom operators, technology providers, and global associations, all committing to advancing the U6GHz ecosystem. Representatives from the Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority (TDRA), the SAMENA Telecommunications Council, Huawei, du, e&, GSMA, Nokia, HONOR, and Tozed affirmed their commitment to the new ecosystem.

Parallel discussions at the summit also focused on policy, technology, and deployment alignment for the 6GHz spectrum. Industry leaders highlighted the strategic importance of the upper 6GHz band.

Tareq Al Awadhi, Executive Director of Spectrum Affairs and the Chairman of Arab Spectrum Management Group, said: “The upper 6 GHz band is a key resource for IMT services and support future mobile technologies 5G Advanced, and it will be foundation for 6G. This first dialogue on deployment alignment among various stakeholders is both timely and necessary.”

U6GHz spectrum

U6GHz refers to the 6425–7125MHz range identified by the 3GPP standard as Band n104. With 700MHz continuous bandwidth, it offers a balance between wide-area coverage and high-capacity performance. Often referred to as the “golden spectrum,” it is expected to play a crucial role in addressing the growing demand for high-speed, low-latency connectivity driven by the rapid expansion of AI applications and data-intensive services.

Estimates by members of the SAMENA Council’s technology providers indicate that U6GHz-enabled networks could deliver peak speeds of up to 10 Gbps for downlink and 1 Gbps for uplink under 5G-Advanced (5G-A). The spectrum is also seen as a foundational layer for the transition toward 6G, with the UAE already outlining a roadmap for future deployment.

“For the UAE, the Upper 6GHz spectrum strengthens national digital infrastructure ambitions across sectors, including finance, healthcare, and manufacturing, among others,” the release noted.

From Trials to Commercial Readiness

Globally, the U6GHz ecosystem has entered a phase of accelerated development, moving from trials to commercial readiness. Technology providers have showcased compatible infrastructure, while telecom operators across multiple regions have completed field tests, demonstrating the viability of large-scale deployment.

At MWC26, one of the council’s leading members, Huawei, launched a full range of U6GHz products, achieving coverage comparable to C-band and peak rates of 10 Gbps. During the event, GSMA, along with Huawei, Qualcomm, Tozed, Meig, and other stakeholders, signaled ecosystem readiness for U6GHz deployment. Meanwhile, global operators—including Vodafone, China Mobile, and TIM Brazil—completed U6GHz field tests, laying the foundation for commercialization, according to the release.

Bocar BA, CEO of the SAMENA Council, has stated: “With this U6GHz ecosystem launch, the UAE has moved ahead of many markets in transitioning from trials to commercial rollouts, and it is a privilege that this development has taken place during the Leaders’ Summit 2026, an industry leadership meeting held during these challenging times in the regional context, to foster dialogue, build support for the ecosystem, and to signal continuity in efforts toward collaboration and development.”

Jawad Abbassi, Head of MENA, GSMA, said, “The U6GHz ecosystem is now sufficiently ready to support commercial deployment. The band will play a central role in achieving 10Gbps connectivity and serve as an initial spectrum for future 6G networks. The Middle East can leverage U6GHz during the 5G-A phase to gain a first-mover advantage.”

The release highlighted that the UAE’s progress in this domain is the result of sustained strategic planning. Following international agreements at the World Radiocommunication Conference 2023, TDRA allocated the U6GHz band for IMT services in 2024, positioning the country among early adopters. Subsequent field trials conducted in collaboration with industry partners achieved significant performance benchmarks, paving the way for commercial rollout.

In 2025, e& UAE, in collaboration with strategic partners including Huawei, successfully completed U6GHz field tests, achieving an ultimate 10Gbps user experience and laying the groundwork for the construction of Dubai’s “5G-A 10Gbps connection” city.

UAE Sets the Stage for 6G Evolution

The deployment is anticipated to accelerate innovation across sectors such as healthcare, finance, manufacturing, and smart city development, supporting applications ranging from remote medical diagnostics to intelligent transport systems and immersive digital services.

“With the official commercial launch of UAE U6GHz, the UAE is poised to unlock new value in digital transformation and lead the Middle East’s communication industry into a new stage,” the release said.

Looking ahead, U6GHz networks are projected to cover a substantial share of the UAE population by 2028, strengthening the country’s digital economy and readiness for 6G technologies.

“This U6GHz ecosystem launch positions the UAE as a reference market for how spectrum, regulation and industrial collaboration can accelerate next-generation connectivity,” it said.

At the heart of this project is not just technology, but infrastructure at scale. Airtel Nxtra will play a key role in building the backbone of the AI ecosystem, bringing together data centres, ultra-low latency fibre networks, green energy integration, and next-generation cable landing capabilities. The project is being positioned as one of the largest AI infrastructure deployments globally, with a scale that could reshape how digital services are delivered across India.

Gopal Vittal, Executive Vice Chairman, Bharti Airtel, said, Through our strategic partnership with Google and Adani, we will help advance India’s digital ambitions. With Visakhapatnam emerging as a new hub on the world’s AI map, our full stack of data centres, green power and ultra-low latency fibre will enable large-scale AI infrastructure.

The Vizag AI hub is part of Google’s broader $15 billion investment plan in India over the next five years, aimed at accelerating the country’s transition into an AI-driven economy . This includes the development of a gigawatt-scale data centre ecosystem, making it one of the first such large-scale AI infrastructure clusters in the region.

For Airtel, this partnership signals a deeper strategic shift. Traditionally known as a telecom operator, the company has been steadily expanding its presence in the digital infrastructure space through Nxtra. By aligning with global hyperscalers like Google, Airtel is positioning itself not just as a connectivity provider, but as a key enabler of next-generation digital services.

The infrastructure requirements for AI are fundamentally different from traditional cloud workloads. AI models demand high-performance computing, massive storage capabilities, and ultra-fast data movement across networks. This is where Airtel Nxtra’s integrated approach becomes critical. Its pan-India fibre footprint, combined with advanced data centre capabilities, is expected to provide the low-latency environment needed to support AI applications at scale.

Thomas Kurian, CEO, Google Cloud, said, This AI hub represents a key moment for India’s AI-native future and will open new doors for economic opportunity across the country.

The choice of Visakhapatnam is also strategic. The city is emerging as an important digital and industrial hub, supported by strong government backing and improving connectivity infrastructure. With subsea cable landing stations and expanding fibre networks, Vizag offers the kind of connectivity advantage that large-scale AI and cloud infrastructure projects require.

Government officials and industry leaders present at the groundbreaking ceremony highlighted the importance of this initiative in strengthening India’s position in the global technology landscape.

Ashwini Vaishnaw, Union Minister for Electronics and IT, said,  The AI hub and subsea cable infrastructure in Visakhapatnam will be critical for India’s journey to becoming a global technology leader.

From a broader perspective, this development reflects a shift in how digital ecosystems are being built. The focus is moving from consumer-facing applications to foundational infrastructure. Data centres, energy supply, and network capacity are becoming critical building blocks for future growth, especially as AI adoption accelerates across industries.

A key aspect of the Vizag AI hub is its emphasis on sustainability. The project includes plans for integrating clean energy sources to power the data centres, aligning with India’s long-term renewable energy goals. As data centres become more energy-intensive, the ability to operate on green power will be an important differentiator for infrastructure providers.

Another important component is the expansion of fibre connectivity and subsea cable infrastructure. These elements are crucial for ensuring seamless data flow between India and global markets. The AI hub is expected to strengthen India’s connectivity with international networks, improving performance for businesses and consumers alike.

Beyond infrastructure, the project also has a strong focus on ecosystem development. Initiatives around skill development, digital literacy, and community engagement are expected to play a role in ensuring that the benefits of this investment reach a wider audience. Training programs aimed at preparing the workforce for roles in construction, operations, and AI-related fields are already part of the broader plan .

For Airtel Nxtra, this is an opportunity to scale its capabilities and establish itself as a key player in India’s data centre and AI infrastructure market. As competition intensifies with players like Reliance Jio and global cloud providers expanding their footprint, partnerships like these could prove crucial in shaping the future landscape.

At the same time, the project highlights a larger trend: the convergence of telecom, cloud, and energy infrastructure. Companies that can integrate these elements effectively are likely to emerge as leaders in the next phase of digital growth.

The Vizag AI hub is still in its early stages, but its impact could be far-reaching. From enabling advanced AI applications to strengthening India’s digital backbone, the project represents a step forward in building a resilient and future-ready infrastructure ecosystem.

As India continues its journey towards becoming a digitally empowered economy, investments of this scale underline the importance of strong partnerships between technology companies, infrastructure providers, and government bodies. Airtel Nxtra’s role in this initiative positions it at the centre of this transformation, where the real value lies not just in connectivity, but in enabling the next generation of digital innovation.

On paper, this sounds attractive for Rs 349, users get 28 days of validity, 2GB of daily data, unlimited voice calls, 100 SMS per day and unlimited 5G data for eligible subscribers after the daily high speed data limit is exhausted, users continue to get unlimited data at 64 Kbps speeds.

Along with this, Reliance Jio is offering additional benefits as part of a special offer which include a 3 month JioHotstar Mobile subscription, 50GB free storage through JioAICloud and the free 18 month Google Gemini Pro offer, which is valued at Rs 35,100 and includes 5,000GB cloud storage, Nano Banana and more.

But this is where the larger question begins is the Rs 349 plan simply becoming better value for users, or is Jio slowly creating a system where customers need to keep spending more to retain the real benefits?

The answer lies in the fine print.

Reliance Jio also has a cheaper unlimited 5G option at Rs 198 this plan offers 14 days of validity, 2GB data per day, unlimited voice calls and 100 SMS per day in total, users get 28GB of high speed data, along with unlimited 5G data for eligible subscribers. after the high-speed data quota is consumed, unlimited data continues at 64 Kbps.

For users who only want short validity and unlimited 5G access, the Rs 198 plan may look like a cheaper entry point. But when compared with the Rs 349 plan, the difference is not just about validity the Rs 349 plan comes with 28 days of validity and a larger set of digital benefits which creates a clear gap between a basic unlimited 5G recharge and a more benefit-heavy recharge.

The concern is that many of these so called free benefits may not feel truly free if users have to remain on higher-value recharges to keep using them.

The Google Gemini offer is a good example to continue using the Google Gemini offer benefits, users must remain continuously active on an unlimited 5G plan of Rs 349 and above throughout the offer period which means the user is not just getting a one-time free benefit the user is entering a condition-based offer where the benefit remains active only as long as the recharge behaviour matches Jio’s requirement.

This changes the way the plan should be viewed.

Earlier, telecom plans were simple users paid for validity, data, voice and SMS then came OTT bundles, where telecom operators started adding subscriptions to make higher value plans look more attractive now, with AI and cloud storage entering the bundle, the recharge plan is becoming part of a wider digital ecosystem.

For Reliance Jio, this is a smart retention strategy a user who activates Gemini Pro and starts using 5,000GB of cloud storage may not want to lose access easily. Once a user stores data, uses AI tools or becomes dependent on the bundled ecosystem, switching to a cheaper plan may feel difficult this can increase customer stickiness.

But from a consumer point of view, there is another side to this the user may start with the idea that they are getting a premium AI benefit for free. However, to keep that benefit active, they may need to continue recharging with Rs 349 and above plans over 18 months, that becomes a long-term spending commitment.

This does not mean the Rs 349 plan is poor value. In fact, for heavy data users, 5G users and those who want entertainment and AI benefits, the plan may be one of the stronger prepaid packs in the market. The combination of unlimited 5G, JioHotstar, JioAICloud and Gemini Pro makes the plan look powerful.

But users should understand the difference between a benefit and a commitment if you look into benefit it is only useful when it gives flexibility and when it comes to commitment it starts when the user has to maintain a certain recharge level to continue enjoying it.

That is why the Rs 349 plan needs to be looked at carefully it is not just an entry-level unlimited 5G plan anymore. It is becoming a gateway to Jio’s larger digital services play the plan is designed to keep users engaged across mobile data, entertainment, cloud and AI.

For Reliance Jio, this is the next phase of monetisation Unlimited 5G may have helped attract users initially. But the next challenge is to make users stay on higher value plans. Bundled services help achieve that they make the plan feel richer and reduce the chances of users moving to cheaper recharges.

For consumers, Rs 349 plan offers strong value, but the fine print matters Users should check whether they actually need JioHotstar, JioAICloud and Gemini Pro, or whether they are mainly recharging for unlimited 5G. If the requirement is only short term unlimited 5G, the Rs 198 plan may still work for some users but if users want the full digital bundle, then Rs 349 and above becomes the real entry point.

Jio’s Rs 349 plan shows how prepaid telecom is changing it is no longer only about data per day. It is about locking users into a larger digital habit and that may be the real story behind the bundle the benefits are attractive, but keeping them may require users to spend more consistently.

Addressing the gathering, Mittal recalled an earlier milestone from 1999, when Bharti Airtel launched its services in Andhra Pradesh in the presence of Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu. He said that at the time, the company had committed to building telecommunications connectivity, which later evolved into the development of strong digital infrastructure aligned with the vision of Digital India.

Mittal noted that nearly 12,000 kilometres of fibre infrastructure already exist in the region, providing a strong foundation for future growth. He said this presents a significant opportunity for the state and for Visakhapatnam to emerge as a major hub for digital and intelligence-driven infrastructure.

He also highlighted Andhra Pradesh’s approach to industrial growth, pointing to policy clarity, speed of execution, and long-term vision as key factors enabling large-scale transformation projects. According to Mittal, these strengths make the state a natural choice for the development of a large AI ecosystem.

Describing the vision for the city, he said that Visakhapatnam, which has historically served as a gateway for maritime trade, will now take on a new role as a gateway to the intelligence age for India and the globe.

Mittal acknowledged the role of partners, including Google, Adani Group, and Bharti Airtel, in supporting the initiative. He said the collaboration aims to create one of the finest facilities of its kind globally, adding that the groundwork has been laid and execution will now move forward within defined timelines.

Referring again to the early days of Airtel’s expansion, Mittal said the focus had initially been on expanding connectivity to rural areas before moving to urban markets, and reiterated his commitment that the current project would also be delivered as planned.

At the centre of the initiative is Nxtra by Airtel, which he described as India’s leading homegrown data centre business. Nxtra currently operates 14 core campuses across India, with more than 120 data centres. It has a live capacity of approximately 270 megawatts.

Mittal said the project is designed to be self-sustainable and environmentally responsible. He added that nearly 400 megawatts of renewable energy will be utilised as part of the development, supporting India’s progress towards net zero goals.

He further outlined that the broader ecosystem being developed will include a state-of-the-art cable landing station and infrastructure to host international subsea cables. In addition, Bharti Airtel will build a robust intra-city and inter-city fibre network to improve connectivity, enhance resilience, and increase capacity across India’s digital backbone.

Concluding his remarks, Mittal said that artificial intelligence has transformed technology by digitising cognition itself. He noted that AI is improving efficiency and productivity while enabling personalisation at scale, with the potential to address systemic challenges across sectors.

He added that India will play a central role in the global AI story, and that artificial intelligence will remain a key pillar of the country’s growth for many decades.

Mittal expressed confidence that Andhra Pradesh, and Visakhapatnam in particular, will attract significant investments and commercial activity going forward. He reiterated Bharti Enterprises’ commitment to supporting the state’s development and digital ambitions.

OnePlus Pad 4 India Specifications

OnePlus Pad 4 will be powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 SoC. The tablet will come with a 13.2-inch display with support for 3.4K True Color Display. There will be surround sound powered by eight hi-fidelity speakers. Users will get cinema-grade immersion with the tablet when it comes to sound and entertainment. OnePlus Pad 4 is now confirmed to pack a 13380mAh battery, the largest ever insisde a OnePlus tablet.

OnePlus will even launch the OnePlus Stylo Pro which will come with support for 16,000 pressure levels. It will have dual-tips as well. The display will also support Dolby Vision. The colour and design of the OnePlus Pad 4 has already been unveiled. You can see a pill sized cutout at the back of the tablet for housing the camera sensors.