Vodafone Idea also said its 5G services are now available in more than 80 cities across 17 circles, while its 4G coverage expanded to an additional 48 million people during FY26. The company’s customer base stood at 192.8 million, with Vodafone Idea stating that its network investments and capex-led expansion are now beginning to reflect in business performance and customer trends.

ARPU Growth Becomes a Key Signal

For Vodafone Idea, the rise in ARPU is one of the more important takeaways from the quarter its ARPU moved up to Rs 190 from Rs 175 a year earlier, giving the operator better revenue realisation from its existing customer base.

Also Read: Vodafone Idea Capital Infusion: Everything to Know

Vodafone Idea has attributed the increase to tariff repair and customer upgrades in simple terms, the company is earning more from each user, either because of higher plan pricing or because customers are moving to better value packs.

This matters because ARPU has become a critical indicator for Indian telecom operators. For a company like Vi, which has been working to stabilise its subscriber base and improve network experience, higher ARPU gives it more room to support investments in coverage, capacity and 5G rollout.

Vi reported quarterly revenue of Rs 11,333 crore for Q4 FY26. The company also said this was its highest average daily revenue in the last six years. EBITDA for the quarter stood at Rs 4,889 crore.

Vodafone Idea 5G Now Live in More Than 80 Cities

Alongside the ARPU improvement, Vodafone Idea also highlighted progress on its 5G rollout its 5G services are now live in over 80 cities across 17 circles for consumers, this is one of the more visible parts of Vi’s ongoing network push. While ARPU and EBITDA are financial metrics, 5G coverage is something users can directly relate to a wider 5G footprint gives Vi customers in more cities access to the company’s next generation mobile network.

Also Read: Airtel, BSNL, Jio and Vodafone Idea Entry-Level Postpaid Plans: May 2026 Edition

Vodafone Idea has been behind larger rivals in 5G rollout, but the latest update shows that the operator is now expanding its 5G presence across more markets the company has also been working on strengthening its 4G network, which still remains important for a large part of its user base.

During FY26, Vodafone Idea said its 4G population coverage expanded by 48 million people and has also increased its 4G data capacity by 12 percent during the year.

Network Expansion Takes Centre Stage

Vi’s results announcement also points to a broader network expansion exercise it has added 17.3K broadband towers and 19.7K mobile towers during FY26 this is important because Vi’s recovery depends not only on launching 5G in more cities but also on improving basic network availability and capacity for many customers, the real test will be everyday experience stronger coverage, better data speeds and fewer congestion issues.

Vodafone Idea said its investments in network infrastructure are now showing up in operational performance and linked its network expansion and capex activity to improving customer metrics, including the return of positive monthly subscriber additions from February 2026.

Vodafone Idea Subscriber Additions Turn Positive

Another important line from the company’s update is that Vi’s monthly subscriber additions turned positive from February 2026. This comes after a long period where the operator was under pressure from subscriber losses. VI’s customer base stood at 192.8 million at the end of the quarter and the subscriber losses had remained one of the biggest concerns around its business.

The positive addition trend, even at an early stage, gives the company a stronger story to tell. It suggests that the combined impact of tariff repair, network expansion and customer upgrades may be helping Vi hold on to users more effectively.

Safety and Digital Protection

Vodafone Idea also highlighted that its AI-powered system flagged nearly 2 billion suspicious calls and SMSes it also said more than 250,000 malicious spam links are being blocked daily. This is another consumer-facing part of Vi’s update.

Also Read: Vodafone Idea Brings Microdramas to Vi Movies and TV Through Bullet App Partnership

India Mobile users continue to deal with spam calls, fraud messages and suspicious links. Vi’s decision to highlight these numbers shows that digital safety is becoming a major part of the customer experience conversation.

What This Means for Vodafone Idea Users

The Q4 FY26 update gives Vodafone Idea a stronger consumer-facing story than in previous quarters the key numbers are clear: ARPU at Rs 190, 5G in over 80 cities, 4G coverage extended to 48 million more people, and positive subscriber additions from February 2026.

For users, the bigger question is whether these investments will translate into a consistently better network experience across more locations. Vodafone Idea is clearly trying to rebuild momentum through coverage expansion, capacity addition and 5G rollout.

The company still has to sustain this progress, but Q4 FY26 shows that Vi’s recovery story is now being supported by stronger operating metrics and visible network expansion.

You Need Netflix to Watch Human Vapor OTT

If you want to watch Human Vapor on OTT, you will need a Netflix subscription. The movie will be landing globally on July 2, 2026. It will be an exclusive Netflix release, and thus you will need to get at least the Mobile subscription of the platform to watch it.

What is interesting about this platform is that it is the first big collaboration between Japanese and Korean creators. It will be an interesting watch for the users not just because of the production quality, but because it will also be very thrilling and is expected to feature a great story line.

Broadband From Space to a Regular Phone

The biggest point in AST SpaceMobile’s latest test is not only the speed, but the device used. The company says the download was delivered directly to a regular smartphone this matters because traditional satellite broadband usually requires a dish, terminal, or separate equipment. AST SpaceMobile’s approach is different it is trying to build a space-based cellular broadband network that can work with everyday mobile phones.

Also Read: Airtel, Jio, and Vi are Unhappy with Government over Satellite Broadband

The company said the speed test used its Block 1 BlueBird satellites and reached a peak download speed of 98.9 Mbps. During the demonstration, AST SpaceMobile indicated that bandwidth was being pushed from a hyper server in Georgia, to the test location. The test also showed speeds around the high-97 Mbps range before touching the highlighted peak of 98.9 Mbps. The result was described as a significant milestone for satellite-to-smartphone broadband.

Why 98.9 Mbps Is Important

A near-100 Mbps download speed from space to a standard phone is important because direct-to-device satellite connectivity has often been seen as a low-bandwidth or emergency-focused technology many users associate satellite connectivity with messaging, disaster communication, maritime connectivity, remote monitoring, or basic coverage in areas where mobile towers are unavailable. AST SpaceMobile’s test changes that perception by showing broadband-like speed from satellite to phone.

That does not mean users should expect the same speeds everywhere once commercial services begin real-world performance will depend on satellite capacity, spectrum, number of users, network design, latency, operator integration, pricing, and regulatory approvals. But the test shows that the technology is moving beyond concept and into a more advanced validation phase.

AST SpaceMobile has also indicated that its next-generation satellites are expected to nearly double these speeds. If that happens, direct-to-phone satellite broadband could become more relevant not only for emergency communication, but also for consumer broadband, enterprise connectivity, IoT, rural coverage, and mobility services.

India Link: Vodafone Idea Partnership

The India angle is important. AST SpaceMobile has partnered with Vodafone Idea to explore direct-to-device satellite broadband connectivity in India. The partnership is aimed at combining Vi’s mobile network presence with AST SpaceMobile’s space-based cellular broadband technology the idea is to enable ordinary smartphones to connect without special hardware or device changes.

Also Read: Vodafone Idea and AST SpaceMobile Partner to Bring Satellite Broadband Connectivity to India

For Vi, such a partnership can be useful in extending connectivity to places where terrestrial network deployment is difficult or commercially challenging. India still has remote regions, forest areas, border locations, islands, highways, and disaster-prone zones where mobile coverage can be patchy or hard to maintain a satellite-to-phone layer can work as a coverage extension for such areas.

Under such a model, terrestrial networks will still remain the main connectivity layer for cities, towns, and most high-traffic locations satellite broadband is not a replacement for towers, fiber, 4G, or 5G. Instead, it can become an additional layer for difficult-to-cover regions and for use cases where coverage resilience matters.

A New Coverage Layer for Telecom Operators

For telecom operators globally, direct-to-phone satellite broadband can open a new coverage model instead of building towers in every difficult location, operators may be able to use satellite connectivity as a complementary layer this can help in rural coverage, maritime routes, emergency response, remote enterprise locations, mining, logistics, energy projects, and defence-related connectivity.

Also Read: AST SpaceMobile and Vodafone Forge Long-Term Partnership to Expand Global Cellular Broadband

For consumers, the biggest advantage is simplicity if the service works on a normal phone, the user does not need to understand satellite equipment or install a separate terminal the mobile phone itself becomes the access device that is what makes direct-to-device satellite broadband different from traditional satellite internet.

The Challenge Is Commercial Scale

AST SpaceMobile’s 98.9 Mbps test is a strong technical signal, but the next challenge will be scale commercial success will depend on how the service performs with many users, across different geographies, and under real network conditions. Pricing, latency, device support, spectrum coordination, and regulatory approvals will also be important.

Still, the direction is clear. Space-based cellular broadband is becoming more serious, and AST SpaceMobile’s latest test shows that satellites can potentially deliver meaningful broadband speeds directly to smartphones for India, where Vi has partnered with the company, this could become an important future layer for expanding mobile broadband beyond the limits of ground infrastructure.

iPhone 18 Price Expectations

iPhone 18 will not be as cheap as the iPhone 17 was. Apple basically launched a higher memory variant (256GB) as the base model compared to 128GB previously, and priced it around the same as what it used to offer the 128GB variant for. This led to people going for the iPhone 17 base model way more than would have.

However, things were different back then. Now, the memory costs are way higher. This is due to global supply chain issues created due to geopolitical tensions in the west. This has increased the cost of manufacturing and shipping the devices for Apple. To ensure that the margins stay the same, Apple will have no other option but to increase the price of iPhone 18 base model.

However, iPhone 18 Pro models will likely not see any price increase. This is because the iPhone 18 Pro models still retain plenty of margin for the company, thus, even after a higher memory cost, Apple will be to keep the pricing of iPhone 18 Pro devices aggressive.

iPhone 18 Pro Colours

iPhone 18 Pro models are expected to feature new colours. There’s likely going to be a new blue and a magenta colour option for the users. Apple is expected to reintroduce a black variant for the iPhone 18 Pro models. The design is expected to be the same as the iPhone 17 Pro models. The camera island is likely going to be the same as well. However, we expect major upgrades in the camera and processor performance.

iPhone 18 Series Expected Launch

iPhone 18 series is expected to launch soon. The launch is expected in the second week of September 2026. For now, Apple’s focus will be on the WWDC (World Wide Developers Conference) 2026. The WWDC 2026 is scheduled between June 8 to June 12, 2026. Apple will launch the new generation software for the new products including iPhones, Mac, and iPads.

With the software preview that Apple will showcase during the WWDC 2026, the world will get to see a brief glimpse into what the experience with iPhone 18 series will be like.

Airtel vs Jio Q4 FY26 Results: ARPU, EBITDA, and Net Profits

Jio ARPU figure stood at Rs 214 in Q4 FY26. There was basically no major increase in the ARPU. Airtel ARPU at the same time stood at Rs 257. What’s key here to understand is that Airtel actually saw its ARPU dipping from Rs 259 in the previous quarter to Rs 257 in the current one. Get more details on that here.

When it comes to EBITDA, Airtel EBITDA (consolidated) margin stood at 57.8% in Q4 FY26, meanwhile Jio’s EBITDA stood at 52.4%. So Airtel’s marins are clearly better. However, when it came to the net profits/net income for Q4 FY26, Airtel reported net profits of Rs 7,245 crore meanwhile Jio reported a net profit of Rs 7,935 crore.

This is because when it comes to monetisable mobile customer base in India, Jio has a bigger number under its portfolio. Along with that, Jio is larger than Airtel in the homes segment. Airtel is expanding AirFiber service, meanwhile Jio has clearly created a dominance in the segment with the rollout of UBR (unlicensed band radio) services as well.

Jio, looking to IPO (initial public offer) soon will have pressure from the investors to continously improve ARPU and margins. Thus, even Jio will need to premiumise services soon.

Airtel’s 5G SA Readiness

Standalone 5G, often called 5G SA, is an advanced 5G architecture that runs on a dedicated 5G core. This is different from non-standalone 5G, which depends on the existing 4G core network. In simple terms, 5G SA gives an operator a stronger technology base to support lower latency, better network efficiency, enterprise use cases, network slicing, and more advanced digital services over time.

Also Read: One Airtel Launched by Bharti Airtel as a New Bundled Service

Bharti Airtel said its 5G network is now fully SA ready. However, the company is not moving all mobile users at once. Mobile customers are being transitioned in a phased manner, which suggests a more measured rollout strategy. This approach makes sense because the real value of standalone 5G will depend on multiple factors, including device readiness, customer use cases, network demand, and monetisation opportunities.

FWA Already Runs on Standalone 5G

The more immediate development is in fixed wireless access. Airtel said FWA is already running fully on standalone 5G. This is important because FWA has become one of the most visible 5G use cases for telecom operators in India. It allows operators to offer home broadband-like connectivity through wireless 5G, especially in areas where laying fiber may take more time or where the cost of deployment is higher.

For Bharti Airtel, FWA has helped expand the addressable market in the homes business. During the call, the company said its homes business delivered another strong quarter, with net additions of 1.1 million in Q4. Airtel also added 4.2 million homes customers during FY26. This shows that the homes segment is becoming a major growth area for the company, supported by fiber, FWA, IPTV, and convergence-led plans.

Also Read: Bharti Airtel Has a Low-Cost Cricket Streaming Pack and It Costs Just Rs 48

Fiber Still Remains the Preferred Route

Even though FWA is running on standalone 5G, Airtel made it clear that fiber remains its preferred long-term route wherever available. The company said if it can get a customer on fiber, that is the best type of customer. FWA is being used more as a reach-expansion tool in places where fiber cannot be deployed quickly or efficiently.

This is also linked to changing device economics Airtel said the cost of fixed wireless access equipment has increased in recent months due to rising chipset and memory prices. Around a year ago, the cost to connect a home using FWA was broadly similar to fiber. That equation has now changed as a result, Airtel has pivoted the organisation back to a stronger fiber-first approach and is using digital tools to avoid installing FWA in places where fiber is already available.

Why This Matters for Airtel

Airtel’s 5G SA readiness should be seen along with its wider network investment plan the company said it is investing in strengthening its transport layer and launching advanced 5G capabilities. It also said radio capex in India is moderating, while transport capex will remain an area of focus. This indicates that the next phase of network investment is not only about adding radio sites, but also about improving the deeper network layer that supports quality, resilience, low latency, and future services.

Also Read: Airtel 5G Delivers 257 Mbps on a Train Moving at 100+ kmph, Showing Strong Mobility Performance

The company is also working on building 56 world-class edge data centres over the next 18 to 24 months. This becomes relevant because standalone 5G and edge computing can together support future low-latency use cases. Over time, this could matter for enterprise applications, cloud services, industrial connectivity, gaming, video, IoT, and private network use cases.

A Measured 5G Strategy

For consumers, the shift to 5G SA may not bring an immediate overnight change in mobile experience. Today, most users still look at 5G through the lens of speed and data availability. But for operators, standalone 5G is about preparing for a deeper technology shift. It gives Bharti Airtel the ability to build differentiated services when the market is ready.

Airtel’s approach appears practical the network is fully SA ready, FWA is already on SA, and mobile users will move in phases. At the same time, the company is strengthening fiber, transport, edge data centres, and digital capabilities. This suggests that Airtel is preparing its 5G network not just for faster mobile data, but for a broader future built around homes, enterprise services, edge computing, and advanced digital applications.

Dhurandhar 1 and 2 Both Online Available

Dhurandhar 1 is available on Netflix since January 2026. Dhurandhar 2 was released in March, and since then hass been running in theatres. It can soon touch Rs 1800 crore in gross collection, and that is what the production house might be waiting for before removing it from the cinema halls. Dhurandhar 2 is said to come with an extended cut online. Note that this has not been confirmed by the brand. This is just an onging online rumour.

Dhurandhar 2 JioHotstar Release Date (Confirmed)

Dhurandhar 2 JioHotstar OTT release date has been confirmed for June 4, 2026 for the grand digital premiere at 7 pm. Dhurandhar 2 will be available for regular streaming from June 5, 2026 for the users. This is an Adult rated movie, and could feature some scenes that were earlier cut and didn’t make it to the theatres. As per reports, Dhurandhar 2 will feature three minutes of additional scenes that were removed from the original cut before it was released for the public theatres and

Dhurandhar 2 is still running in the theatres/cinema halls in India. The movie, starring Ranveer Singh, Arjun Rampal and plenty of other Indian stellar category actors will soon be available to be streamed online.

JioHotstar will not offer free Dhurandhar 2 online streaming. From June 5, if you have a JioHotstar subscription, even the mobile one, then you can watch the movie at the comfort of your home.

Kartavya OTT Platform: Where to Stream

Kartavya is available on Netflix. It won’t be available for free streaming. Netflix requires people to get monthly access to the OTT platform if they want to watch something. Kartavya is a crime thriller and it is produced by Red Chillies Entertainment Production, a production house owned by Shah Rukh Khan.

The movie is written and directed by Pulkit.

What is Kartavya Netflix About?

Kartavya on Netflix is an intense crime thriller, where a police officer must decide how far he will go to uphold his duty when his family’s safety is at stake and threats are closing in.

Kartavya Netflix Cast

Kartavya features the OG star, Saif Ali Khan alongisde Rasika Dugal and Sanjay Mishra. It is available in multiple languages (dubbed). Reviews for the movie are not out yet, since it was just released.

Netflix Plans Cost to Watch Kartavya

Netflix has prepaid monthly plans starting at Rs 149 (Mobile Plan) for users to stream content. However, the mobile plan allows streaming in only 480p resolution, which is not super good to be honest. The best budget plan from Netflix in India is the Basic plan which costs Rs 199 per month and allows users to stream videos in good quality and it can be streamed in multiple devices including phone, tablet and laptop.

For a higher resolution plan, you will have to for the Standard or the Premium plan which cost Rs 499 or Rs 649 per month.

Airtel Looks for Alternate Sources of Energy

Bharti Airtel is looking for other sources of energy to reduce the dependence on diesel. The telco will most likely look at solar power options (green energy options) to reduce costs in the long run.

In the Q4 FY26 results, Airtel said, “We are amplifying our efforts, in collaboration with Indus Towers, to significantly reduce dependence on diesel by transitioning to high powered batteries and alternate sources of energy.”

Indus Towers is now owned by Bharti Airtel. The telco owns over 51% stake in the tower company and thus, working with Indus as a customer is now easier for Airtel. Bharti Group is already working to reduce its carbon footprint as fast as possible. To that extent, the telco would have reduced its dependence on traditional fuel sources such as petrol and diesel anyway. But now, due to the rising prices, which are expected to rise even further in the near future, Airtel will likely speed up this process.

Airtel disel usage metric usage is not available publicly thus we can’t comment on how much the price change would affect the telecom operator in terms of cash outflow. However, one thing is for sure, to offset the rising costs of business, and then earn a better margin on top of that, Airtel could go for a tariff hike in the near future.

The telco said that this is due to a broken pricing architecture. This is not the even the first time Airtel is talking about the tariff structure. Airtel said that compared to the previous quarter, Q4 FY26 had two days less. If it was the same number of days, Airtel would have seen an ARPU increase of Rs 3, the management projected.

Airtel Vice Chairman Comments on ARPU and West Asia Crisis

Gopal Vittal, executive vice chairman of Bharti Airtel expressed his disappointment with the ARPU of the telco. Vittal has talked many times about the need for the tariff structure to change in India. Users who consume more should pay more is the architecture Airtel is advocating for.

“We are not happy with our ARPU increase of only ?3 for the quarter. Part of this issue was linked to the West Asia crisis and (its impact on) international roaming revenues. But we are now determined to double down on all our levers on ARPU and grow and accelerate the pace,” Vittal said at the earnings call of Bharti Airtel for Q4 FY26.

Airtel’s ARPU is still the highest. The telco will deinfitely want to go for a tariff hike to reach the Rs 300 ARPU figure as soon as possible. Apart from that, the telco sees a great opportunity in upgrading users from prepaid to postpaid services for boosting ARPU. Airtel said that it added 0.8 million users in the postpaid segment during the quarter. The number is growing, but is staying steady at this pace.

The amendments follow a consultation process initiated on 27 February 2026, during which TRAI sought stakeholder feedback on proposed changes to the 2024 Regulations and the Rating Manual. Inputs were received from property managers, Digital Connectivity Rating Agencies (DCRAs), service providers, and other stakeholders, highlighting operational challenges such as rating differentiation, assessment of under-construction properties, classification of property types, and the need for preliminary audits prior to formal rating applications.

Additional Star Rating Levels

Based on stakeholder consultations and implementation experience, TRAI has expanded the rating framework by introducing additional half-star levels, increasing the scale from five to nine levels. According to TRAI, the revised structure is aimed at improving granularity in assessment, enabling clearer differentiation of digital connectivity performance, and supporting more informed consumer decision-making.

Under-Construction Properties Eligible to Apply for Ratings

A significant change allows under-construction properties to be brought under the rating framework through a phased assessment process. DCRAs will now evaluate design-stage digital connectivity infrastructure based on approved plans and issue a “Designed For” certificate.

Upon completion of construction and installation of in-building solutions, an “Installation Completed For” certificate will be issued following evaluation. Final ratings will be awarded once services become operational, enhancing transparency and aligning design commitments with execution outcomes.

Alignment of Property Types with Assessment Criteria

The framework has also been refined to better align property categorisation with usage-specific assessment criteria, improving applicability across different property types.

Optional Digital Connectivity Audit

In addition, TRAI has introduced an optional digital connectivity audit mechanism, enabling property managers to assess existing infrastructure through a registered DCRA without entering the formal rating process. The audit will provide a detailed sub-criteria-wise evaluation and identify areas requiring improvement.

Revision in Code of Conduct for DCRAs

Further, the Code of Conduct for DCRAs has been strengthened to reinforce independence and transparency. It now explicitly restricts DCRAs engaged in providing digital connectivity infrastructure from assessing properties where another DCRA has supplied such infrastructure.

Incorporation of References to National Building Construction Standards (NBCS), 2026

In line with updated national standards, references to the National Building Code have been replaced with the National Building Construction Standards (NBCS), 2026, issued by the Bureau of Indian Standards.

TRAI stated that the revised framework is intended to enhance clarity, strengthen implementation, improve accountability, and promote wider adoption of robust and future-ready digital connectivity infrastructure in properties. The updated Rating Manual reflecting these amendments will be published on TRAI’s official website, and the regulations will come into force with effect from 13 May 13, 2026.

“The Regulations shall apply to property managers seeking rating or audit of properties for digital connectivity, Digital Connectivity Rating Agencies, In-Building Solution Providers establishing IBS within properties, and service providers integrating their telecommunication networks with the digital communication infrastructure, including IBS, of the properties for provision of telecommunication services,” the Ministry of Communications said in an official release on May 14, 2026.

Why Mobile Recharge Prices will Go Up Because of Petrol and Diesel Price Hike in India

For a tower to operate, power and fuel account for almost 40% of the operating cost. This development could mean that the cost for operating a mobile tower will go up for the telcos, as diesel, which is used in these towers, has become expensive. For telcos, which operate at a massive scale, could incur hundreds of crores extra just for the diesel every year at this price.

5G towers, which require more energy and diesel to operate will also beccome more expensive for the telcos to manage.

The telcos will also face rising costs in other areas of their business due to the issues in the global supply chain. Telcos were already planning a tariff hike for the Indian market. However, if this was going to happen a little later, we expect that it would now happen much faster.

Are you planning to recharge with the a long term plan before the tariffs go up? If yes, let us know in the comments.

Google recently started sending out notifications to users telling them about a new update for their storage.

Google Gmail 5GB Storage Test

Google is now limiting the free accounts with 5GB of cloud storage only. This used to be 15GB by default. However, if you connect your Gmail account with a phone number, you will get 10GB more. So technically, you will get 15GB of free storage still, but you need to connect a mobile number to your account.

This removes the anonymity for the users. Currently, users make several Gmail accounts with 15GB of cloud storage, and backup their data in these free accounts. Google is now limiting this. This would solve two things for the users. Firstly, it would connect a phone number with the account, giving Google some data about who the user is. Then, the users won’t just simply be able to get 15GB of free storage by giving away nothing to the company.

Note that Google doesn’t really mention it explicitly that everyone needs to connect their phone number right now to get 15GB of free cloud storage, but one of the users, at least, has received this notice from the company. We will update you more on this as developments uncover.

Also Read: Vodafone Idea Clarifies Media Report on Shareholding Transfer Speculation

Birla’s Return as Chairman Strengthens Fundraising Push

The development follows Birla’s recent appointment as non-executive chairman after the government’s adjusted gross revenue (AGR) relief package. Sources reportedly said Birla’s return as non-executive chairman, following the recent adjusted gross revenue (AGR) relief, is aligned with ongoing lender negotiations and intended to provide additional comfort to banks. Last week, Vodafone Idea appointed Birla as non-executive chairman, replacing Ravinder Takkar, who has been redesignated as non-executive vice chairman.

Board to Consider Equity Raise and Warrants

In a stock exchange filing on Tuesday, May 12, 2026, Vodafone Idea said its board would meet on May 16 to consider raising funds through the issue of equity shares and/or warrants on a preferential basis. According to the report, sources indicated that the proposed equity raise is aimed at reinforcing investor and lender confidence amid the company’s broader fundraising plans.

“The expectation in the market is that this may not be a very large capital raise. It could be more of a confidence-building exercise aimed at reassuring lenders and investors, especially after Kumar Mangalam Birla took over as non-executive chairman,” an unnamed industry analyst was quoted as saying in the report.

Rs 95,000 Crore Funding Gap Remains Key Challenge

The analyst noted that Vodafone Idea’s primary challenge remains its significant funding requirement. “The company needs nearly Rs 95,000 crore, including around Rs 45,000 crore for capital expenditure alone, apart from spectrum liabilities and bank debt obligations. Against this, annual cash generation is still limited, creating a large funding gap that lenders remain concerned about,” he reportedly said.

Promoters — the Aditya Birla Group and Vodafone Group — have infused capital into Vodafone Idea multiple times since the 2018 merger to support operations, spectrum payments, network expansion and debt servicing. In March 2022, the promoters committed around Rs 4,500 crore through a preferential equity infusion, with Vodafone Group entities contributing approximately Rs 3,375 crore and Aditya Birla Group entities investing around Rs 1,125 crore. The Aditya Birla Group later infused an additional Rs 2,075 crore in 2024.

Banks and SBI-Led Consortium Evaluate Debt Package

Vodafone Idea is currently in talks with a consortium led by State Bank of India to raise nearly Rs 25,000 crore in debt, along with Rs 10,000 crore in letter of credit facilities for the procurement of 4G and 5G network equipment. Discussions accelerated after the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) provided relief on the company’s AGR dues, easing near-term cash flow pressures. Lenders are also evaluating Vodafone Idea’s repayment roadmap and earnings outlook before extending fresh loans.

The renewed discussions follow the DoT’s decision to finalise Vodafone Idea’s AGR dues at Rs 64,046 crore, lower than the earlier estimate of Rs 87,695 crore, while deferring a substantial portion of payments to FY36–41. The relief package, announced on April 30, marked the second major government intervention for the debt-laden telecom operator after a similar measure in December.

Continued Promoter Support Since 2018 Merger

According to the report, despite improved lender sentiment following the AGR relief, banks remain cautious over Vodafone Idea’s substantial spectrum liabilities. As of December-end, the company’s spectrum dues stood at around Rs 1.25 lakh crore, with nearly Rs 49,000 crore payable over the next three years. The telecom operator’s bank debt currently stands at approximately Rs 4,400 crore, including Rs 3,300 crore raised through non-convertible debentures via a subsidiary.

BSNL Kavach Latest News May 2026

BSNL Kavach basically offers a virtual number for recharge. This virtual number is very simple to generate and offers an added layer of protection to people, especially women in India from giving out their actual mobile numbers to offline retailers offering recharge services.

This service was announced on the International Women’s Day 2026 by BSNL.

How to Activate BSNL Kavach: Step-by-Step Guide

To activate BSNL Kavach using the BSNL Self Care mobile app, follow these steps:

1. Open the BSNL Self Care app on your smartphone and log-in through your BSNL number.
2. On the homepage of the app, tap on the Kavach/Privacy Shield banner/icon.
3. Click on “Generate Virtual Number” option.
4. You will get an SMS on your registered mobile number with a temporary alias number that you can give out to the retailer for recharging your actual SIM card.
5. When the retailer will rechage your temporary alias or virtual number, your actual SIM card or mobile number will be recharged.

Alternately, you can also activate BSNL Kavach using a USSD code. To do that, follow these steps:

1. Dual *150# from your registered BSNL mobile number.
2. You will get the multiple options, select ‘Value Added Services’ or ‘Privacy Services’.
3. Then, choose ‘BSNL Kavach’ and select ‘Generate Number’.
4. The virtual number or the temporary alias number will be show on your screen and then will also be sent to you via an SMS text.
5. Give this number to the retailer for recharge and your actual phone will be then recharged for you.

Lastly, you can also use the SMS feature on your phone to activate BSNL Kavach and get a temporary recharge number. Here’s how you can do that:

1. Send an SMS with the keyword Kavach to 51500.
2. You will get a reply with a temporary ID valid for the next 24 hours or until the first recharge is made.

This is a free of cost service from BSNL. The temporary number will expire in 24 hours or until the first recharge is made. You will need to generate this number again when you want to recharge next with an alias or virtual number using BSNL Kavach. Note that the best and the fastest way to do it is using the SMS feature on your phone.

With this, you get offline recharge privacy from BSNL.

Also Read: BSNL Prepaid Plans Offering Year-Long Connectivity with Indigenous 4G Technology

BSNL Prepaid Plans

1. BSNL Recharge Rs 439

Pack Type: Recharge, Voice-Only Prepaid Plan
Core Benefits: Unlimited voice calls (Local/STD) on any network in the Home LSA and national roaming, including the MTNL network in Mumbai and Delhi, along with 300 SMS.
Validity: 80 Days
Effective Per-Day Pricing: Approx. Rs 5.49

2. BSNL Recharge Rs 485

Pack Type: Recharge, Prepaid Plan with Daily Data
Core Benefits: Unlimited voice calls, unlimited data with high-speed data capped at 2 GB/day, after which the speed is restricted to 40 kbps, along with 100 SMS/day.
Validity: 72 Days
Effective Per-Day Pricing: Approx. Rs 6.74

3. BSNL Recharge Rs 599

Pack Type: Recharge, Prepaid Plan for Heavy Data Usage
Core Benefits: Unlimited voice calls (Local/STD) on-net/off-net in the Home LSA and national roaming, including Mumbai and Delhi, along with unlimited data with high-speed data capped at 3 GB/day. After the daily limit is exhausted, the speed is reduced to 40 kbps. The plan also includes 100 SMS/day.
Validity: 70 Days
Effective Per-Day Pricing: Approx. Rs 8.56

According to the telco, BSNL’s Rs 599 plan offers non-stop data, unlimited conversations, and long-lasting validity in one powerful recharge.

“When the network is our nation’s own, then every connection isn’t just fast… It’s reliable too. Swadeshi 4G digitally empowers every home, every dream, and every Indian,” BSNL highlighted while emphasising the advantages of its 4G network on social media platforms. With BSNL, every village in India is advancing toward digital progress.

Conclusion

Unlike private telecom operators, BSNL does not offer many plans with an 84-day validity as of this writing. However, users can choose from these available validity plans, as staying connected should never slow them down.

If you are not already a BSNL user, there is no need to worry. BSNL’s Re 1 Free SIM offer is still available for new users until May 31, 2026, ONLY. For just Re 1, users can enjoy 2 GB of high-speed data per day, unlimited voice calls, 100 SMS/day, and 30 days of validity. The offer is available at the nearest BSNL CSC and retail stores.

Also in the 84-Day Validity Series:

Airtel 84-Day Prepaid Recharge Plans: Here’s What You Get in April 2026

Reliance Jio 84-Day Validity Prepaid Plans: April 2026 Edition

Bharti Telecom Will Have More than 50% Stake in Airtel

Sunil Mittal said that Bharti Telecom will have more than 50% stake in Airtel in the future. This will keep the control with one single entity and consolidate operations along with saving time for the company to make important decisions. Along with this, Mittal also talked about his plans to eventually leave the company and hand over the reigns to the next generation.

“Basically, the belief remains that you must have everything through one company that should be the controlling, promoting shareholder. And Bharti Telecom has historically has just not only been the founding promoter of this company, has had almost always for a long period of time, a controlling shareholding of 51,” Mittal said during the earnings call.

“If you really ask me, my own wish is that in the next, I don’t know, it’s hard to put in, you know, years on it, in the next decade. As I kind of come to a point where I hand over the reins to the next generation as shareholders, Bharti telecom should get back to controlling shareholding 51% or just over 50%. So that’s 10% more to go. And for a company of this magnitude and size, you can imagine that it’s not a small task,” he added.

Mittal Talked About Various Entities Contributing to Bharti Telecom

Mittal said that the broader direction is to consolidate the stake of ICIL, Bharti Family entities, and Singtel under Bharti Telecom over time. In addition, Singtel, which has both direct and indirect stake in Airtel, is selling its direct stake to equalise its ownership share with the Mittal family. In a recent share swap decision, Singtel’s direct stake in Airtel reduced to 3.6% from 6%. In the next three to four years, Sunil Mittal believes, Singtel and Mittal family would equalise this ownership structure with all of direct stake of Airte with Singtel being gone.

However, there will also have to be more buybacks by Bharti Airtel, for which the telco will need strong cashflows in the future.

Vodafone Idea Capital Infusion Latest News

Vodafone Idea (Vi) capital infusion will likely be led by Kumar Mangalam Birla via the equity route. Vi is facing hardships when it comes to raising funds via debt. Banks are not confident in giving money to Vi right away. There are a lot of conditions, fairly put by the banks and until the clarity comes, Vi won’t likely get money via debt from the banks.

Vodafone Idea Board Meeting May 16

Vodafone Idea board meeting is scheduled for May 16, 2026. Vi’s board is meeting to consider preferential allotment of equity shares to investors to raise money. If Vi is able to raise money via equity at this stage, it will be looked at as “confidence capital”. This would signal to the market that investors believe the company has a bright future ahead. What’s more is that this equity capital raise could be led by Kumar Mangalam Birla (KMB), chairman of Vodafone Idea.

Kumar Manglam Birla Return Marks an Important Development

Kumar Mangalam Birla returns as Chairman of the ailing Vodafone Idea Limited (VIL). Birla has taken over as the chairman at a time when the government has reduced the AGR (adjusted gross revenue) dues of the telco, and has also relaxed the payment schedule for the next 10 years. This means that Vi now has the room to grow further without much stress on the cash reserves. If Birla infuses capital in Vodafone Idea at this stage, it will be a huge confidence booster for the market.

Vodafone Idea Gets an AGR Dues Reduction

Vodafone Idea has seen the AGR dues going down from Rs 87,695 from to Rs 64,046 crore. The majority of this payment will start from FY36. This will help sustain the cashflow of the company. It will also be a big confidence booster in Vi for the banks and financial institutions looking to lend money via debt.

Vodafone Idea 4G and 5G Expansion

Vodafone Idea will need the funds raised via equity or debt, to expand 4G and 5G across India. The telecom operator needs to do this to ensure that it can keep adding new customers over the near future. Vi has been losing customers in the wireless segment. The telco, recently added new users for consecutive months, as per TRAI (telecom regulatory authority of India) data. With 4G and 5G expansion, this should continue for the time to come.

Dhurandhar 2 is Also Coming on Netflix, But it is Likely Not for You

Note that for Netflix global audience, Dhurandhar 2 will be available to stream on OTT from May 14, 2026. For the Indian audience, the wait will have to be longer as there’s no official date announced by the production or JioHotstar. For India, since the movie is still running on cinema halls, the decision makers would likely wait a little longer to monetise the craze audience still has the film.

Dhurandhar 2 OTT Could be Extended Cut

Dhurandhar 2 OTT release will be massive. There is a lot of excitement for the online release of Dhurandhar 2 amongst fans, especially because it could feature the extended cut version. This simply means that the audience might get to see scenes that were cut from the official release for theatres and cinema halls. Some reports mention that there are three minutes of the movie that the audience will likely get to see for the first time when Dhurandhar 2 is released online. Note that this is not an official confirmation from the production, but just a part of rumours spread online.

The gross collection of Dhurandhar 2, according to media reports online has reached Rs 1,796 crore globally. The movie is inching towards the Rs 1800 crore collection figure. In terms of collections, Dhurandhar 2 has broken many records. Combined, the Dhurandhar franchise has made the kind of money no one really expected when the first part was going to hit the theatres.

A release from Airtel said, “Sunil Bharti Mittal has been reappointed by the Board as Chairman for a further term of five years, i.e., from October 01, 2026, to September 30, 2031, subject to approval of the members.”

Along with this, the Nisaba Godrej has been reappointed as an independent director for a second term by the company’s board (till August 03, 2026). Note that this is currently subject to members approval.