Here is all we know so far:

Also Read: India Adds Over 5 Million Mobile Users in June 2026: TRAI

5G Boost Could Take India’s Subscriber Base to 100 Crore, Add 36,000 Jobs

Jyotiraditya Scindia announced during the India Mobile Congress (IMC) 2026 curtain-raiser event that 5G connectivity has reached around 50 crore people. The telcos achieved this target in just two and a half years, with Rs 4,50,000 crore in capital expenditure.

Union Minister also shared that India currently has around 5 lakh 5G towers. In the next four years, by 2030, the aim is to expand and connect around 100 crore people on 5G.

Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel Report as Leading Companies in Building 5G Infrastructure

According to the reports, private telecom providers like Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel lead the way as top providers of next-generation infrastructure, with Vodafone Idea last on the list. Government-owned Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) has not yet entered 5G services but is focusing on improving its current 4G infrastructure by adding more towers. BSNL is also working on 5G testing and is soon expected to announce the commercial launch of 5G services in India.

Also Read: Airtel 100 Mbps Plan that Brings TV + Amazon Prime + Netflix and More.

India’s Vision Towards Telecom Infrastructure Development

The Indian Government is also aiming to transition from being a “service-nation” to a “product-nation.” The government is boosting its Production Linked Incentive (PLI), which will help increase telecom equipment manufacturing and add 36,000 jobs in the coming year.

Overall telecom investment has also surged. According to Scindia’s statement, India has achieved investments worth Rs 6,000 crore, sales worth Rs 1,20,000 crore, and telecom exports worth Rs 25,600 crore.

Also Read: Vodafone Idea Launches Rs 200 Entertainment Pack With Access to OTT Platforms and Live TV

Government Plans New Telecom Manufacturing Zone (TMZ) in Gwalior

The government is also encouraging new businesses to emerge in the telecom sector to build new telecom products. The government announced plans to build a new Telecom Manufacturing Zone (TMZ) in Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, and an MOU will be signed between the Central Department of Telecommunications (DOT) and the Government of Madhya Pradesh to build phase 1 of TMZ.

India is seeing positive growth in 5G infrastructure, and companies are working to improve Average Profit Per User (APPU) by improving infrastructure and bringing more and more services to customers.

Recently, it was reported that private players like Reliance Jio are also exploring possibilities for a satellite communication system for internet access and received a government nod to launch their satellite. India’s telecom sector is booming and is expected to see huge growth in the coming five to six years.

Nationwide Rural Survey to Assess Mobile Connectivity

The MoU was signed in New Delhi by Manisha Bansal Badal, General Manager (Citizen Centric Services & Rural Business), Department of Posts, and S.M.K. Chandra, Joint Advisor (Broadband & Policy Analysis), TRAI, in the presence of senior officials from both organisations. The initiative is being undertaken under the leadership of Union Minister for Communications and Development of North Eastern Region Jyotiraditya M. Scindia, according to an official release issued by the Ministry of Communications on July 10, 2026.

Gramin Dak Sevaks to Collect Field-Level Data

The survey will leverage the Department of Posts’ network of over 1.40 lakh rural Branch Post Offices. Gramin Dak Sevaks (GDSs) will collect field-level data during their routine delivery operations using a specially developed Android-based mobile application created by TRAI. The exercise will cover villages across all States and Union Territories and is expected to provide comprehensive data on mobile network performance.

Survey to Guide Telecom Policy and Infrastructure

The findings will help identify areas with inadequate connectivity, facilitate evidence-based policy decisions, and support efforts to enhance telecom infrastructure and service quality in rural areas.

“Covering villages across all States and Union Territories, the initiative will generate field-level data on mobile network performance to identify connectivity gaps, improve telecom infrastructure, and support evidence-based policy decisions for strengthening digital connectivity across rural India,” the Communications Ministry said.

Partnership to Strengthen Digital India

Speaking on the occasion, Manisha Bansal Badal said, “The Department of Posts has consistently partnered with various Government organisations to deliver citizen-centric services by leveraging its unparalleled reach and trusted presence across the country. This collaboration with TRAI reinforces our commitment towards Digital India by supporting the creation of reliable digital infrastructure. Our dedicated postal workforce will play a vital role in generating authentic field-level data to improve telecom services for citizens across rural India.”

TRAI Principal Advisor (NSL) Arun Agarwal said, “This collaboration with the Department of Posts will significantly strengthen TRAI’s capability to assess telecom network performance at the grassroots level. The Department’s extensive field network will enable systematic collection of reliable network performance data, supporting informed regulatory decisions and improved quality of telecom services for consumers.”

Under the MoU, the Department of Posts will carry out field survey operations through its nationwide postal network, while TRAI will provide the survey application, technical support, training and centralized monitoring. The one-year partnership is expected to strengthen telecom service quality, bridge digital connectivity gaps, and further the vision of a digitally empowered and inclusive India, according to the Ministry.

Offer includes zero account opening fee, free stock research

Under the offer, eligible Jio users can open a Kotak Neo trading account with zero account opening charges. They will also receive zero brokerage on investments, Rs 0 delivery brokerage for the first year, and complimentary research on more than 300 stocks to support informed investment decisions.

The initiative is positioned as a value-added financial offering for Jio subscribers seeking to participate in the equity markets. According to the campaign disclaimer, the offer is provided by Kotak Securities Limited, a SEBI-registered stockbroker (Registration No. INZ000200137).

The disclaimer states that brokerage charges will not exceed SEBI-prescribed limits and advises investors to read all related documents carefully, as investments in the securities market are subject to market risks.

Jio advances financial services push amid IPO preparations

Earlier, in June 2026, the Board of Jio Platforms approved the Draft Red Herring Prospectus (DRHP) on June 19, which was filed with the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) on the same day. Announcing the company’s IPO progress during Reliance Industries Limited’s 49th Annual General Meeting (AGM) following the IPO filing, Chairman Mukesh D. Ambani said, “Jio completes 10 years of stellar success, becoming the primary enabler of India’s digital and AI revolution.”

Ambani further said:

“This is a deeply emotional moment for me, for the entire Reliance Family, and millions of its shareholders. The relationship Reliance shares with its shareholders is a deep and sacred relationship founded on pride, trust, respect, and shared growth.

The commitment to shared growth was deeply personal to Dhirubhai. It is equally sacred to me. Imbibed in the same spirit, Isha, Akash, and Anant are heading the Jio IPO process, and will lead the next generation of value creation opportunities in the future.

The proposed listing of Jio will demonstrate to the world that India can build technology companies of global scale, global capability, and global value. I assure you, and all prospective new investors, that a brighter future awaits Jio.”

Samsung Galaxy F70 Pro 5G: What You Should Know

Samsung Galaxy F70 Pro 5G’s microsite is now live in India. The handset will go on sale in India in Flipkart. The microsite confirms that more details about the phone will be revealed on July 31, 2026. The teaser image shows that it will be availablen in Green colour. There could be more colours, but at least one is now confirmed. Further, we can see a flat frame, and a vertically stacked camera system. There will be three camera sensors at the back.

Along with this, there will be an LED flash on the right side of the camera island. The power button and volume controls could also be on the right side of the device. The Galaxy F70 Pro is expected to be more premium device than the Galaxy F70e 5G. To recall, the Galaxy F70e 5G launched in India for a base Rs 13,999 with 4GB of RAM and 128GB of internal storage.

We don’t known the chipset this device will feature, but it could be a MediaTek Dimensity 6000 series chip. Keep reading TelecomTalk to stay updated with the latest offers and launches in India.

20 OTT Platforms and 200+ Live TV Channels Included

The company said the new pack is aimed at simplifying digital entertainment by bringing multiple OTT subscriptions under a single recharge at a price lower than the monthly cost of most cable TV or DTH services.

“The only OTT recharge for everything you watch,” the operator highlighted, stating, “Priced at just Rs 200 with a validity of 28 days, this new Vi Movies & TV prepaid pack is designed to simplify entertainment by eliminating the need for multiple OTT subscriptions while offering customers a seamless entertainment experience at a price lower than the monthly expense of most cable TV or DTH services.”

The pack includes access to streaming platforms such as JioHotstar, SonyLIV, ZEE5, Lionsgate Play, ShemarooMe, ManoramaMAX, FanCode, Playflix, Klikk, Atrangii, Chaupal, OTTplay Live, Pocket Films, YuppTV, Addatimes, Kanccha Lannka, TimesPlay and NextGTV, among others. The content library is available in 16 languages, catering to diverse entertainment preferences across India.

“As consumers increasingly juggle multiple OTT subscriptions, the new pack eliminates the hassle of managing separate subscriptions and payments by bringing together a wide range of entertainment through a single recharge,” Vi said in a release on July 27, 2026.

Unlimited 5G Data and 30GB High-Speed Data Benefits

In addition to OTT content, the recharge provides 30GB of high-speed data along with Unlimited 5G, enabling uninterrupted streaming on the go. Users can access the service on up to four devices and stream simultaneously on two screens across supported OTT platforms, with SonyLIV being an exception.

Vi Aims to Simplify OTT Subscription Management

The new Rs 200 Vi Movies & TV pack is available through the Vi App and other recharge channels. Vi said the offering is intended to make digital entertainment more accessible, convenient, and affordable for prepaid customers.

Also in the Rs 200 Segment from Indian Telecom Operators

Jio Rs 200 OTT Pass:  Reliance Jio Rs 200 OTT Pass Now Includes Rs 150 Cinepolis Movie Ticket Discount Offer

Airtel Rs 200 OTT Pack: Airtel Launches Rs 200 OTT and Unlimited 5G Data Pack for Prepaid Users

Jio OTT Pass Pack: Jio Revamps Rs 200 Mega Content Add-On as OTT Pass with 15 OTT Apps, Unlimited 5G and 30GB Data

Dr Mohan Yadav, the Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh will be present at the event. Once the MoU is signed, then a special purpose company will be formed and the project will officially begin. To develop this zone, the government will allocate over 350 acres of land. In this manufacturing zone, things such as telecom equipment, optical fibre, mobile phones, and products related to network technology will be manufactured. For the first phase of set up of this zone, the Indian government has allocated over Rs 493 crores. The state government through its side will be providing the land for the same.

In the coming years, this project is expected to generate over Rs 12,000 to Rs 15,000 crore worth of investments. It will create around 5000 direct jobs in the state. The leading telecom and electronics manufacturing companies are expected to invest in this project. The first telecom manufacturing zone will strengthen the made in India initiative of the Indian government. It will reduce the import of telecom equipment and also help in making Madhya Pradesh a bigger economy in the coming years.

Indian telecom companies will certainly benefit from this, and this will also create new jobs, adding to the GDP of the country. The Indian government should share more details around the development in the coming days. Keep reading TelecomTalk to stay updated with the developments around the same.

ASUS Pad Price in India

ASUS Pad will be available in two memory variants – 8GB + 128GB for Rs 45,990 and 8GB + 256GB for Rs 49,990. The consumers can also also avail ASUS Easy Pay, which makes the tablet more accessible. Let’s take a look at the specifications below.

ASUS Pad Specifications in India

ASUS Pad has a 12.2-inch 2.8K dual-layer OLED display with support for 144Hz refresh rate and up to 2000nits peak brightness and 100% DCI-P3 colour gamut to produce stunning visuals with exceptional colour accuracy. There is a quad-speaker system with Dolby Atmos 360-degree Cinematic Sound, delivering a richer dialogue. The ASUS Pad maintains a slim 6.5mm profile while weighing just 523 grams. The ASUS Pad has a 9000mAh battery with support for 45W fast-charging that restores the battery from 0-50% in just 30 minutes. You can also expand the internal storage of up to 1TB through microSD card.

It is powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 8300 SoC coupled with up 8GB of RAM and 256GB of internal storage. It also has Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3. There are four speakers with Dolby Atmos 360-degree cinematic sound. For camera, there’s a 5MP sensor at the front and 13MP sensor at the rear.

Alongside heating problems, a few customers reported battery drain issues on the Samsung forum, highlighting that the July patch causes battery drain on Galaxy S24 models, with some also reporting issues on Galaxy Z Fold 8 models.

However, the major root cause of this issue could be WhatsApp Backup running stuck in a loop. Here is all we know so far.

Also Read: Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra Latest Offer in 2026

Samsung Galaxy S24 and Galaxy S25 Users Have Reported Overheating Issues After Installing the July Software Update.

Samsung has not officially confirmed the recent concerns. However, many users are sharing worries on the Samsung forum and on X about battery draining and heating issues.

According to a user, the OneUI 8.5 July security patch update (Build: S938BXXSBCZG3) is causing excessive battery drain.

The user also reports that the Samsung Device Care app shows the message “Some apps or processes are overloading the system (CPU). Your device needs to restart.”

​A few users have also reported that the Galaxy S25 and Galaxy S24 models are seeing a huge battery drop in idle conditions of around 5%.

Also Read: Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra at Just Rs 89999 in India

WhatsApp Backup Could Be the Root Cause of the Heating Issue

Although we don’t have confirmation from Samsung, a previous similar report from April showed Galaxy S models faced heating issues.

The main cause was WhatsApp stuck in a backup loop in the background, consuming battery and heating even during idle time.

Users can cancel the WhatsApp backup to resolve this. If your Galaxy S24 or S25 model faces heating issues, try cancelling the WhatsApp backup running in the background.

Source: PhoneArena and Alvin

Sony Play Station 5 Price in India

Sony’s Play Station 5 Standard Edition was launched in India for Rs 54,990. Now, the product has received a price hike of 28%. This has increased the total price of the product by Rs 15,000. So the new price is Rs 69,990.

Back in July 2025, PS5 digital edition was hiked by Rs 5,000. The console price went up by Rs 44,990 to Rs 49,990 – a hike of Rs 5,000. However, Sony did not raise the price of the standard edition of PS5 in the country at the time. But now, even the standard edition has become expensive. This price hike will not surprise anyone who is aware of the technology industry.

Play Station 5 is one of the best gaming consoles globally, and always stays in huge demand. The price increase will likely reach the local retail stores near you as well. Thus, if you have been planning to get a PS5, this would be the right time to do so. PS5 is currently out of stock in online retail channels such as Amazon India. We are not sure when the product will be making a comeback for the users. But as and when it does, you will have to purchase it at a higher price than before.

iPhone 18 Pro Price

Apple’s iPhone 18 Pro could launch at a higher cost in India and the global markets. This is due to the ongoing memory costs increase. This will also result in the existing iPhones getting a price hike. The iPhone 18 Pro will reportedly feature a smaller dynamic island. But this is something we will talk about another time.

Right now, the focus will be the iPhone Ultra. We expect the iPhone Ultra to pack a unique form factor. This could be very similar to the Samsung’s Z Fold 8. The new design from Apple could have propelled Samsung to launch it first to compete with Apple in the market. The design wars between big tech compaies is an old story. However, neither Apple nor Samsung has commented anything on this.

Apple has not officially teased any of the products launching in the September event. Apple has been developing a foldable device internally for many years. In 2027, that device could finally become a reality. The iPhone Ultra is expected to be the most expensive smartphone from Apple ever. Keep reading TelecomTalk to stay updated about the upcoming iPhones in the September event.

iPhone 18 Launch

iPhone 18 is expected to launch sometime later in India and the global markets. Many reports online suggest that the iPhone 18 will launch in 2027. This would be likely due to Apple wanting to maximise the selling of the Pro models.

Let’s check the offer right below.

Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra 5G Price in India

Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra 5G launched in India with base 12GB + 256GB for Rs 1,29,999. However, this phone is now available at Rs 86,778 in India right now. This offer is on Flipkart. Users can get a further Rs 4,000 cashback with select cards including Flipkart Axis Bank and Flipkart SBI Bank card. There are also EMI offers available for the users. Samsung offers one year of warranty on the device’s purchase, and six months of warranty for in-box accessories.

Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra 5G is also available on Amazon India, but there the price is Rs 89,995 for the 12GB + 256GB variant. There is a Rs 3,000 bank discount with select cards. Thus, the price will go down to Rs 86,995. This makes it around the same price as what is available on Flipkart. But there is a cashback on Flipkart too.

The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra 5G is also available in official Samsung Stores and Samsung retail channels. However, the price could be slightly higher. Note that Samsung does not bundle the charging brick inside the retail box of the phone. The charging brick has to be purchased separately. It will run on Android 15 out of the box. However, it will be getting updates for several years ahead.

With the ‘Ask more of your phone’ campaign, Google is trying to highlight how AI can power your phone experience, and you can do more than what you initially believed with it. The design of the frame is the same as the previous generation. While there will be no major change in the design, we expect the Pixel 11 Pro to feature a faster chipset, and a more powerful set of camera sensors.

Google Pixel Glow

The Google ecosystem of apps are widely used by billions of users. Apps such as Gmail, Google Docs, Search and Calendar are some of the best applications from Google, and they are now powered by Gemini. One thing, which can be cool to see in the design is the Pixel Glow. Google has not confirmed this officially. But the teaser shows us that it is there. It is basically a light sensor which rotates in a pinwheel-like animation and is placed in the camera section.

We are not officially aware about when the Pixel Glow would light up. It looks like something which would come to life as and when the camera is recording, or may be when the AI (artificial intelligene) system is working. Keep reading TelecomTalk to stay updated with the upcoming developments.

The Vivo S2 phone is launched after a long seven-year gap since the Vivo S1. Here is everything we know so far.

Also Read: Vivo T5e Launched in India: Price and Specifications

Vivo S2 Leaked Renders Reveal Curved Display, Dual Cameras, and OriginOS 6

Vivo India recently revealed a teaser showing the dual-camera sensors with the circular flash, although we have some leaked renders revealing under-the-hood specifications.

Display

According to the leaks, the phone will come with a 6.83-inch Curved AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate.

While it’s confirmed that we will get a curved screen, the screen size is not yet confirmed.

Also Read: Vivo X300e Launched with Snapdragon 8 Gen 5, and More

Processor

The leaked image also shows the “About Phone” settings page revealing under-the-hood specifications, confirming that the phone will be powered by the latest MediaTek Dimensity 7360 Turbo octa-core chipset.

The chipset offers pretty solid performance, with a score of around 1 million points in AnTuTu 11.

According to GeekBench 6, the 7360 Turbo has managed to achieve 1025 points for single-core and 2882 points for multi-core.

This chipset also powers other smartphone flagships like Vivo V70 FE.

Camera

​On the rear, the phone comes with a dual-camera setup with a 50MP main sensor and a 2MP sensor, and on the front, the smartphone will come with a 32MP selfie shooter inside the punch-hole camera.

Also Read: Vivo T5 Lite 5G India Launch Date Announced

Battery and RAM Details

The phone will come with a 7050mAh battery, which will be a Silicon-carbon (Si-C) battery and will support 44W fast charging.

The phone will be available in three colours, including Sapphire Blue, Regal Bronze, and Silk White, and will be sold in two memory configurations: 8GB RAM with 128GB storage and 8GB RAM with 256GB storage.

The phone will also get IP68/IP69 Water and dust resistance. On the software side, the new Vivo S2 5G phone will run on the latest OriginOS 6 out of the box, based on Android 16, with a promised update to Android 17 in the future.

Vivo S2 – India Price Details

According to leaks, the Vivo S2 smartphone will possibly start at Rs 51,999 for the base variant with 8GB RAM and 128GB storage, and the top-end variant with 8 GB RAM and 256GB storage will be priced at Rs 55,999.

Image Credits: Anant Rawat

Here we have got you covered with everything you need to know:

Also Read: OnePlus N6X with MIL-STD-810H to Go On Sale on August 4

Poco M8 Power Hands-On Image Surfaces Online

As Poco prepares to launch the smartphone on August 4, we have a new hands-on image ahead of the launch showing how the phone will look in real life.

Poco M8 Power gets an iPhone 17 Pro-inspired orange colour option, with a plain rear design featuring a dual-camera housed in a circular module, which is again placed beneath another square module housing the flash and the Poco logo.

According to leaks, the phone will be built around a plastic chassis with a glossy finish, giving it a premium look for the budget-friendly price tag.

Also Read: Redmi Note 17 to Feature an 8000mAh Battery in India

Poco M8 Power – Specifications and Details

Ahead of the launch, Poco has revealed a few specification details, including the battery, chipset, and display.

As per the confirmation, the M8 Power will be powered by the latest Qualcomm Snapdragon 4 Gen 4, which was launched in December 2025 and is a 4nm-based chipset manufactured by Samsung.

Alongside with the Qualcomm chipset, the smartphone will feature upto 6GB of RAM and 256GB of internal storage.

In addition, Poco has confirmed that the phone will come with a massive 7-inch OLED Panel on the front, offering the best viewing experience for its users.

Although we don’t have confirmation of the refresh rate, it could be a 120Hz panel on the front.

On the rear, the phone gets a dual-camera setup, with a 50MP main sensor coupled with an 8MP ultrawide-angle sensor, and on the front, we will get to see an 8MP selfie shooter placed inside the single punch hole at the center of the phone.

The phone will come with a bigger 8,000mAh silicon-carbon (SiC) battery and may support up to 45W faster wired charging. The phone will be available in Black, Silver, and Orange.

Also Read: Apple Lease Plan Could Block Devices if Payments Are Missed

Poco M8 Power- India Price

As of now, there is no official update on the price of the Poco M8 Power. We will have to wait for Poco to launch the phone soon.

Image Credits: Gogi Tech (X-@gogiinc)

Vodafone Idea Rs 707 Broadband Plan Details (You Broadband)

The You Broadband or Vodafone Idea’s Rs 707 broadband plan comes with 30 Mbps speed. There is an FUP (fair usage policy) limit applicable to the broadband plan which is 3.5TB per month. Post the consumption of FUP (fair usage policy) data, the speed drops to 2 Mbps. There are more than 20 OTT benefits bundled with this plan.

The OTT benefits are offered under the Vi MTV platform. These OTT benefits are – JioHotstar, SonyLIV, ZEE5, ShemarooMe, FanCode, MXPlayer, TimesPlay, LionsgatePlay, Manorama Max, AddaTimes, Chaupal, PlayFlix, Klikk, Distro, PocketFilms, YuppTV, NexGTV, KancchaLanka, and Shemaroo Gujarati.

What’s even cooler is that under the Vi Movies & TV platform, you also get access to more than 350 live TV channels. All of this will come under a single application. Just download the Vi Movies & TV app on your Smart TVs and mobile to watch all the OTT content and the live TV channels. Under this, you can watch the latest movies, shows, or live sports with a single login.

Unfortunately, You Broadband does not operate in all the parts of India. So if you want to recharge with this plan, or get a new connection, this may not be available in your area. Just get in touch with Vodafone Idea or You Broadband to enquire further about availability in your area. Keep reading TelecomTalk to stay updated with all the details.

Under the Leadership of Prime Minister, India Will Achieve Global Leadership in 6G: Scindia

Union Minister of Communications and Development of North Eastern Region, Jyotiraditya M. Scindia, reviewed the progress of the Bharat 6G Alliance (B6GA) at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi, along with Minister of State for Communications and Rural Development Chandra Sekhar Pemmasani and Secretary (Telecom) Amit Agrawal.

India aims to lead global 6G innovation by 2030

The meeting reviewed the progress of B6GA and its efforts towards advancing India’s 6G ambitions in line with the Bharat 6G Vision document released by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on March 22, 2023. The vision aims to make India a front-line contributor in the design, development and deployment of 6G technology by 2030.

The Bharat 6G Alliance operates through seven specialised working groups covering spectrum, device technology and manufacturing ecosystem, technology, applications, green and sustainability, outreach, and 6G use cases and revenue streams. The discussions focused on accelerating indigenous research and development, strengthening domestic capabilities and ensuring India’s active participation in global 6G standardisation efforts.

B6GA members cross 7,700 patent filings

According to the official release, members of the alliance collectively hold more than 7,700 patent filings related to 5G and 6G technologies, including over 4,400 international filings, reflecting the growing strength of India’s innovation ecosystem. “India’s participation in the 3GPP has also increased significantly, with the number of Indian participants rising from 717 in 2020 to 1,787 in 2025, while technical contributions increased from 196 to 2,943 during the same period,” the Communications Ministry said.

An update on 6G technology standardisation efforts by the Telecom Standards Development Society, India (TSDSI) was also presented. The meeting highlighted the need for greater Indian participation in global standards development to ensure that the country’s innovations, technologies and use cases contribute to globally relevant 6G frameworks.

The quarterly updates from B6GA working groups highlighted key initiatives across technology development, emerging applications, sustainability, spectrum strategies, device and component manufacturing, and ecosystem outreach. Participants stressed the importance of building a strong end-to-end telecommunications ecosystem by strengthening collaboration among the government, industry, academia, startups and research institutions.

The meeting also witnessed the presentation of the 5G Labs Excellence Awards, recognising institutions for outstanding contributions in 5G and 5G-Advanced technology utilisation, engagement, innovation and overall excellence during January–June 2026.

IIITDM Kurnool dominates 5G Labs Excellence Awards

The Indian Institute of Information Technology Design and Manufacturing (IIITDM) Kurnool secured the top position across all four award categories — 5G Lab Excellence, Utilisation Excellence, Engagement Excellence and Innovation Excellence — for its outstanding performance among 5G Use Case Labs across the country. Other institutions recognised included DKTE Textile & Engineering Institute, IIT Roorkee, IIT Ropar, PEC Chandigarh, THDC Institute of Hydropower Engineering & Technology, Tehri, and IIIT Delhi.

“IIITDM Kurnool secured the first position in all four categories, reflecting its outstanding overall performance among 5G Use Case Labs across the country,” the Communications Ministry added.

Addressing the meeting, Jyotiraditya M. Scindia said India’s 6G journey must be anchored in indigenous research and innovation, strong standards participation, domestic manufacturing, sustainable technologies and global partnerships. He emphasised the need to benchmark India’s progress against global 6G initiatives and identify opportunities for collaboration among the alliance’s working groups.

“There has been a tremendous amount of progress since the last meeting. I would like to congratulate the team on accomplishing set targets and look forward to achieving next set of objectives in a dynamic manner. We should see where all other international grouping are in their progress of achieving 6G and how we compare to them. We should also identify areas of intersections amongst the working groups and how there can be scope of collaborations amongst them”, Scindia said.

The Union Minister suggested to focus on identifying areas of intersection among the seven working groups to foster greater synergy and collaboration, while benchmarking the country’s progress against international 6G groupings to identify gaps, learn from global best practices and further improve its performance. He also noted the participants’ suggestions for greater support from the Ministry and Government, alongside the need to foster a robust ecosystem encompassing academia, research and development, and world-class testing infrastructure to strengthen India’s capabilities in 6G technology.

The Minister also stressed the importance of creating a secure, resilient, sustainable and inclusive telecommunications ecosystem capable of supporting India’s digital aspirations and contributing to global technological advancement. He noted that the convergence of research, innovation, standards, manufacturing and applications will be critical to ensuring that India not only adopts next-generation technologies but also contributes significantly to their global development.

Chandra Sekhar Pemmasani, Minister of State for Communications and Rural Development, highlighted the importance of innovation, research and development, and collaboration among government, industry, academia and research institutions in creating a future-ready telecom ecosystem.

Pemmasani said, “I am pleased to see the remarkable progress made by the Bharat 6G Alliance in bringing together industry, academia, startups and research institutions to shape India’s 6G future. The collective efforts of its stakeholders and working groups have laid a strong foundation for innovation, indigenous technology development and global standardisation. As we move forward, it is essential to further deepen collaboration across all stakeholders, strengthen coordination among the working groups, and accelerate research, testing and standards development.”

According to the Ministry, the Bharat 6G Alliance Review Meeting reaffirmed India’s resolve to accelerate its 6G mission through coordinated efforts in technology, applications, sustainability, spectrum management, manufacturing, standardisation and outreach. “The discussions and interactions provided further momentum to the vision of developing an indigenous, globally interoperable and future-ready telecommunications ecosystem, enabling India to emerge as a significant global hub for 6G innovation, technology, standards and deployment.”

About Bharat 6G Alliance (B6GA)

The Bharat 6G Alliance is a multi-stakeholder collaborative platform comprising academia, industry, startups and public institutions, working towards building a world-class 6G ecosystem in India. The alliance focuses on research and development, innovation and standardisation to advance India’s vision of global leadership in next-generation communication technologies.

Based on available leaks and official information, we believe the OnePlus N6X will offer strong specifications and a clean user interface, as OnePlus devices have not yet transitioned to Oppo’s ColourOS. Here is all we know so far.

Also Read: OnePlus Shuts Down Internationally, What Went Wrong

OnePlus N6X Goes on Sale August 4 with 120Hz Display, 7,000mAh Battery With MIL-STD-810H

OnePlus India announced that the smartphone will go on sale after its official launch on July 31, 2026.

Display and Durability

Alongside revealing the sale date, OnePlus’s poster also shows the N6X with a flat screen and a 120Hz refresh rate, confirming it will have a 120Hz display.

Over and above, OnePlus also teased and revealed another poster confirming that the N6X phone promises durability out of the box with MIL-STD-810H durability certification from independent agencies, promising that the N6X phone can withstand Mechanical Shock, Vibration, High Temperature, Low Temperature, Thermal Shock, Sand and Dust, Humidity, Low Pressure (Altitude), Salt Fog, Rain and Blowing Rain, Explosives.

Although it’s worth noting that this is not certified by defence but rather by independent agencies that have tested products in various environments.

Also Read: OnePlus N6x 5G India Launch Date Confirmed

Battery

The standard does promise that the OnePlus N6X will be resistant to phone drops.

Apart from the durability and display features, OnePlus India also announced that the phone will pack a massive 7,000mAh battery, promising up to 2.5 days of battery life.

Ports, Colour Options and Processor Details

OnePlus N6X will also bring a 3.5mm jack, and on the rear, you get a dual-camera setup housed in a vertical module in the top-left corner.

The phone’s design draws inspiration from the OnePlus Nord 5 series and will come in two colours: new Burgundy Red and Ice Blue.

These are some of the confirmed specifications we know so far! If we go with the leaks, the OnePlus N6X’s processor and camera details are still under wraps.

Still, we do have leaks suggesting that OnePlus will go with a Qualcomm Snapdragon processor, possibly a 695 5G chipset, which offers pretty decent performance for the price.

OnePlus N6X’s elder sibling, the N6, comes with a MediaTek Dimensity 6360 chipset onboard. Under the hood, we expect the N6X to come with two memory configurations, including 4GB and 6GB RAM, and 128GB and 256GB storage.

We will get to know more as OnePlus launches the N6X phone on July 31, 2026. We have a lot of phones lined up to launch in August, be it from Google’s flagship Pixel 11 series to the Redmi Note 17 series.

Are you excited for the new smartphone launches for the coming month?

Redmi Note 17 5G Colours Confirmed

The teaser poster revealed by the brand for the Redmi Note 17 5G confirms that it will arrive in two colour options in India – Blue and Purple. These are the same colours as what we saw in China. The Redmi Note 17 will be the successor to the Redmi Note 15. There is no Redmi Note 16. The company decided to jump directly from 15 to 17.

We expect the Redmi Note 17 5G to be priced around Rs 20,000 for the base variant. The device is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 4 Gen 4 in China. The same chipset is expected to be bundled for the Indian market as well. There should be an AMOLED display with a massive 7-inch display on the device. For cameras, there could be a 50MP sensor at the rear and an 8MP sensor at the front. The launch is just about a week from here. Xiaomi will keep confirming other details about the Redmi Note 17 leading up to the launch. The only thing that will affect how successful the device series is in India is the pricing. Without a great pricing, it will likely not be able to succeed. Keep reading TelecomTalk to stay updated with the device and its specifications.

This could apply to other devices like Mac’s macOS, iPad’s iPadOS, and Apple Watch’s WatchOS, which may also get this update.

The leasing program is currently launched only in the U.S. Here is everything we know so far:

Apple Announces Apple Upgrade Leasing Program, But There Is a Catch!

Apple introduced the leasing program as a possible solution to rising memory prices, which have increased the pricing of its products like iPads and Macs.

Apple has partnered with Klarna, and eligible customers will be able to lease new Apple products for a fixed time period. After the lease ends, customers can either keep the device or upgrade to a new device with a new lease contract.

Apple’s vice president of Apple Store online, Karen Rasmussen, shared a statement: “At Apple, we put the customer at the center of everything we do, and we’re thrilled that Apple Upgrade offers our customers, both online and in-store, a more flexible way to pay for the products they love.”

Also Read: Apple Smart Glasses Could Hit Markets in 2027

Apple Upgrade Plan – Pricing Details

According to the press release, the Apple Upgrade leasing plans are 12- to 24-month options depending on the iPhone model.

The leasing program for Mac and iPad is set at 24-36 months.

The leasing plans start at $17.99 (around Rs 1720) per month for iPhones, $11.99 (around Rs 1200) per month for iPads, and $24.99 (around Rs 2400) per month for Macs. Here is a detailed lease pricing for Apple products.

iPhone 17: $22.99 (Around Rs. 2,200).

iPhone 17e: $17.99 (Around Rs 1,800).

iPhone 17 Pro: $31.99 (Around Rs 3,100).

iPad Mini: $11.99 (Around Rs 1,200).

iPad Air: $15.99 (Around Rs 1,600).

iPad Pro: $24.99 (Around Rs 2,400).

Watch Series 11: $11.99 (Around Rs 1,200).

Watch Ultra 3: $24.99 (Around Rs 2,400).

MacBook Air: $24.99 (Around Rs 2,400).

MacBook Pro: $38.99 (Around Rs 3,800).

Also Read: Apple iOS 27 – List of Features and Upgrades iPhones Will Get

How to Apply for Apple Upgrade Plan?

Apple has partnered with Klarna to offer this leasing program and has added an enrollment process that provides detailed information.

Customers can enrol in the leasing program through the Apple online store and offline stores, and after enrolment, they will receive a quick Klarna enrolment.

Approval for the Apple Upgrade plan is subject to customers’ credit and involves a soft credit inquiry that will not impact credit scores.

As of now, the Apple Upgrade program is only available in the U.S.

Apple might expand the service to other countries, but it may not launch the leasing service in India soon.

Also Read: Apple iPhone 18 Pro Leaks – Everything We Know So Far

iOS 27 Leak Suggests Apple Could Remotely Block Devices Over Missed Payments

Apple’s leasing program is a handy new option for owners, but it raises the question: what happens if you miss a payment?

Apple has not provided any information on this, but leaked reports claim that code in iOS 27 indicates Apple will be able to block iPhones remotely.

This suggests that in the event of missed payments, Apple might block your device.

Other providers like AT&T and Verizon, who already offer Apple products on lease, have the option to block your iPhone.

However, here Apple will directly have remote control to block it.

Apple has not confirmed this yet. We will be providing more updates in the future.

Image Credits: Gemini (AI Generated)

WhatsApp Web: What is New

In an official blog, Meta, the parent company of WhatsApp, has confirmed that WhatsApp Web will now be able to make and recieve audio and video calls. This was not the case till now. While you could do a lot from the web app so far, you could not make calls (voice or video). For that, you would need the app, either on your phone or desktop. But now, WhatsApp Web has received this support, and thus, you will be able to make calls without downloading the app.

There’s more. You will have access to features such as screen sharing, reactions, and a dedicated calls tab with your full call history and favourites, all from your browser. WhatsApp has confirmed that the calls are end-to-end encrypted. Further, there are no time limits or costs associated with them. They are accessible for the users in an unlimited basis.

Another interesting thing is that you can now move an active group call from one device to another. This will make your meetings seamless. In fact, now group calls have a waiting room. This is much like what we see on platforms such as Zoom and Google Meet. So the group calls will now have a waiting room, and only people who are allowed in will be able to join the call. Also, there is Quick HD feature enabled for the users. With this feature, users will get access to high-definition calling instantly. There is now also a feature to reduce the background noise around you. This will make the calling experience even better for the users.