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.

Anshuman Thakur, head of strategy at Reliance Jio Infocomm, at Reliance Industries latest post-earnings conference call said, “On the product side, the 5G premium services with our stack, we can offer. Now, some of this is being done on a trial basis. We need to ensure that we are fully regulatory compliant, but these products are ready for the market.”

5G slicing is not a new thing, as the telco has already been doing it for enterprises. But when it comes to the regulatory wireless customer side of things, the telco can’t just do it yet, even when it has the technology to. Reliance Jio will be able to network slices for different use cases such as 5G cloud gaming and more. This will improve the experience for the customers, however, they will definitely need to pay more to access that.

Much recently, Jyotiraditya Scindia, union telecom minister of India and Chandra Sekhar Pemmasani, minister of state for communications, met with Robert J Ravi, chairman of BSNL and other executives from the telco to review operational metrics and overall performance of the operator.

While the growth looks impressive on the ARPU department for the last year, it is still not enough for the company to compete in the industry. If this was a private telecom operator, it wouldn’t be able to sustain. BSNL not only has the lowest ARPU in the industry, it also has the lowest subscriber count as well. BSNL needs to figure out a way to improve ARPU, and it won’t be with just indirect hikes only.

Along with the infrastructure sharing, the two telcos could also engage in spectrum sharing. This will improve efficiency for the telcos in providing services. Vodafone Idea has been adding new customers for consecutive months according to data from the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) monthly performance report.

Vodafone Idea has been in discussions with the banks and financial institutions along with investors to raise about Rs 45,000 crore further to infuse into its capex (capital expenditure). The telecom operator, if successful in raising funds, will be able to start catching up with the competitors including Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel.

The plan we are talking about costs Rs 499. However, this is not a prepaid plan with service validity. This is actually a data voucher, which will only work on top of an active service validity plan. Let’s take a look at the complete benefits of the Rs 499 data voucher from Vodafone Idea.

Vodafone Idea Rs 499 Prepaid Plan Data Vouchers Benefit

Vodafone Idea Rs 499 prepaid data voucher comes with 20GB of data and 3 months of validity. Apart from the data that’s bundled with the plan, users get a Swiggy One subscription for 3 months. The three months subscription of Swiggy One generally costs much lower with offers and in fact Swiggy itself offers renewal of the subscription at a very low cost when the user is trying to order something. This helps the company in retaining the user for a long time.

The thing with this particular data voucher is that users also get 20GB of data. That is what they are paying essentially extra for over the Swiggy One subscription here. This plan is available for users across the country. If you want it, you can recharge it with the mobile app of Vi as well as the website of the telecom operator.

Speaking at the COAI Digicom Summit 2026, Abhijit Kishore, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), of Vodafone Idea Limited said, “The reassessment is ongoing. We are just waiting… hopefully it should happen as soon as possible.”

The Supreme Court (SC) of India had asked the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) to provide relief to Vi in the AGR dues department. So the telecom department froze the dues of the telco for the next 10 years with a very nominal payment schedule every year till then and also said that it would reassess the existing dues.

The telecom department recently extended the reassessment period of Vi’s AGR dues by three more months at the end of June 2026. Pemmasani Chandra Sekhar, minister of state for telecom, said at the COAI Digicom Summit 2026, “We are also coming up with a technology development fund with even more outlay and more co-funding mechanisms so that the fund really does what it’s supposed to do.”

Also Read: What They Said: Sridhar Vembu of Zoho on AI

Reflecting on the journey of Indians abroad, Vembu, in a long post on X on April 27, 2026, noted that many had migrated to the US with limited resources but strong educational and cultural foundations, going on to achieve significant success. “Like I did 37 years ago, you arrived in America with no money but with a good education and cultural heritage from Bharat. You achieved outstanding success.” He added, “America was good to us. For that we must remain grateful – gratitude is our Bharatiya way.”

Full text of the letter

“Open letter to Indians in America.

Dear brothers and sisters from Bharat:

Like I did 37 years ago, you arrived in America with no money but with a good education and cultural heritage from Bharat. You achieved outstanding success. America was good to us. For that we must remain grateful – gratitude is our Bharatiya way.

Yet today, a significant number of Americans, may be not the majority but not too far from it either, believe that Indians “take away” American jobs and our success in America was unfairly earned.

You may think the next election will fix this, but your choice would be between people who hate our Bharatiya civilisation and people who hate civilisation itself. That is the “hard right” vs “woke left” battle. You are mere bystanders to that conflict.

Meanwhile there is one thing that is true now and will be true in the future: the respect Indians command world-wide will substantially depend on the fortunes of India herself. If India remains poor, the woke left will give us moral lectures with pity and the hard right, different moral lectures with scorn (“hellhole”) and we must not confuse either with respect.

Respect in today’s world, along with prosperity and security, comes from one source: a nation’s technological prowess. India produces sufficient brain power to achieve that prowess but alas we exported so much of that talent, particularly to America. As we develop that prowess in India, our civilisational strength will assert itself.

As difficult as it is for many of you to contemplate this, please come back home. Bharat Mata needs your talent. Our vast youthful population needs the technology leadership you gained over the years to guide them towards prosperity. Let’s do it with a missionary zeal.

Respectfully
Sridhar Vembu”

Much recently, on April 24, 2026, when Reliance Industries came out with the results for Q4 FY26, Ambani said that Jio is progressing steadily with the IPO of Jio Platforms.

“I am happy to note that we are advancing steadily towards the listing of Jio Platforms. This will mark a defining milestone in its journey as it continues to scale new heights and contribute to India’s digital future,” said Ambani.

If things are going as per plan, we should see Jio being listed in this very quarter. However, multiple reports in the recent past have indicated that there will be delays with the IPO.

OnePlus Nord CE 6 Lite 5G Specifications Confirmed

OnePlus Nord CE 6 Lite 5G will be powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 7400 Apex chipset. The chipset has been built on a 4nm process and is paired with fast UFS 3.1 internal storage. The device scored over 1,030,000 on the AnTuTu. It is complimented by a large 5300mm square VC cooling system.

The phone has a display with support for 144Hz refresh rate and can also support 90fps gaming in many major titles. Its 6.72-inch Full HD display supports dynamic refresh rates from 1Hz to 120Hz, scaling up to 144Hz when required, balancing fluidity with power efficiency. The phone has a 7000mAh battery with support for 45W SUPERVOOC fast-charging.

It has a 50MP primary camera at the rear with support for 4K video recording. For selfies and video calling, there’s an 8MP sensor at the front. There are AI-powered video editing tools support with the device as well. The phone will run on OxygenOS 16 out of the box based on Android 16. More details on the launch offers and price will be announced on May 7, 2026, at 12 PM.