eNews
India’s 400 mn smartphones generate 80% data traffic: FB’s Umang Bedi
MUMBAI: India has 400 million smart phones that account for 80 per cent of internet data traffic at present and when many non-feature phones will start getting replaced or include features facilitating internet access, it will change the way how data is accessed, according to Facebook managing director, India & South Asia, Umang Bedi.
Speaking at the IAMAI event here on Tuesday, Bedi, while highlighting how over a decade back (united) Reliance brought in revolution in India by introducing cheap mobile handsets and competitive plans for consumers, said the launch of Jio service by Mukesh Ambani-promoted Reliance Industries earlier this year is bringing about a similar revolution by employing disruptive marketing tactics and pricing that is again changing the way India consumes data.
Bedi, who was speaking extempore at the event, said there are three Indias that needs watching and from where growth likely to come.
The first India, he mentioned, is the one that subscribes to books on e-retailers like Amazon, shops on Flipkart and rides on Ola cabs rides, which is similar to what is happening in the West. According to Bedi, India today is a growing digital market registering a 35 per cent growth worth USD 1.8-2.8 billion.
The second India, according to Bedi, is the mass India that lives in tier 2 and 3 cities /towns where people have money and aspirations but no access to affordable Internet. And, the third India comprises about 25 million people living in rural areas for whom new solutions and methods to reach them are needed. Reason: It’s this huge mass that will become a big consuming market in near future.
As disruption seemed to be the underlying theme of the digital economy, Bedi dwelt on the disrupters theory, fathered by Clayton Christensen, saying disruption is happening in the digital sector and it’s being done by the likes of Amazon (from selling books to etailing electronics appliances, smart phones, etc) and Uber.
Pointing out that Amazon and Uber were the “biggest disrupters” in today’s world, Bedi also issued a warning to all marketers saying that unless business people remained “humble”, they themselves may find disrupted.
eNews
Swiggy sees record orders during India vs New Zealand T20 final
Chicken biryani tops match-day menu as fans order 7,500 times per minute at peak.
MUMBAI: India’s T20 final didn’t just break stumps, it broke Swiggy’s delivery records, proving cricket fans celebrate victories with plates, not just flags. Swiggy, India’s leading on-demand convenience platform, reported a sharp spike in food orders during the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup final between India and New Zealand. On 8 March 2026, overall orders rose 23.2 per cent year-on-year compared with the same date in 2025, driven by fans turning living rooms into mini stadiums complete with match-day feasts.
Key highlights from the evening:
- Orders during peak match hours (7–10 pm) were 2.1 times higher than pre-match levels.
- The highest order rate hit 7,500 orders per minute at 19:45.
- Chicken biryani reigned supreme as the most-ordered dish, followed by masala dosa, chicken fried rice, garlic breadsticks and paneer butter masala.
While metros such as Bengaluru, Mumbai and Hyderabad led volumes, the cricketing fever spread nationwide. Among emerging cities, Thiruvananthapuram, Surat and Rajkot recorded the strongest order growth. Smaller markets including Shillong, Agartala and Port Blair also showed significant appetite, underlining the expanding footprint of quick-commerce food delivery across India.
The surge reflects a growing trend of pairing major sporting events with doorstep delivery, turning big matches into shared, convenient celebrations. In a night where every boundary mattered, Swiggy proved the real MVP might just be the delivery partner who kept the snacks and the vibes flowing without missing a single wicket.
