iWorld
Jio data offer unsustainable, acknowledges Airtel
MUMBAI: Bharti Airtel, India’s largest mobile operator, has opined that the new tariff announced by Reliance Jio was very aggressive and unsustainable, and the industry would respond to it with additional data offerings and more competitive plans.
Yesterday Airtel anounced waiving of roaming charges to compete with free roaming and voice calls offered by Jio. The Mukesh Ambani-led Jio has not only promised to match the best mobile data usage plan in the market but add 20 per cent to it.
Tariffs that they (Jio) announced were still very aggressive, which meant they got to respond. They all got to do more packages… they had to throw in more data. All those things need to be done, PTI reported Bharti Airtel chairman Sunil Mittal telling the press.
Jio, which has invested USD 25 billion on its 4G wireless data network, will terminate free data plans from 1 April, but has offered consumers the option of signing up for a Jio Prime membership for Rs 99 to continue using unlimited services for a year by paying Rs 303 every month.
Acknowledging that Jio’s plan to start charging customers was “good news” for operators, he said it however, would not signal the end to tariff war. Good news was that eventually they announced that they would. But yes, it was the pricing which was unsustainable.
Mittal, who is also the chairman of global industry body GSMA, recommended consolidation for the Indian telecom industry to “get the economic case back”, pitched for affordability in spectrum pricing that has gone “out of control” in the last few years, and said the spectrum surplus industry would not need an airwave auction, at least in 2017-18.
Gaming
Samsung’s #PlayGalaxy Cup 5.0 crowns Kaashvi Warriors
Galaxy S26-powered esports event reaches 350 million plus users with 48 top creators.
MUMBAI: Samsung just powered up India’s gaming arena because when Galaxy S26 meets creator chaos, even the controllers get excited. India’s largest consumer electronics brand, Samsung, hosted the fifth edition of #PlayGalaxy Cup, powered by the all-new Galaxy S26 series, bringing together 48 top gaming creators for a high-stakes tournament. Kaashvi Warriors emerged as champions after approximately four and a half hours of intense head-to-head matchups, livestreamed on Samsung India’s official YouTube channel and select Exclusive Stores nationwide, reaching over 350 million users.
The event featured leading talents from Opraahfx, including TechnoGamerz, MythPat, GamerFleet, Desi Gamers, Gautami Abhyudaya, Sooneeta, and Sourav Joshi, delivering massive engagement and competitive fire.
The Galaxy S26 series stole the show with its enhanced performance, immersive display technology, reduced thickness, and lighter weight proving its mettle in sustained peak gameplay under tournament pressure.
Samsung Mobile,vice president and head of product marketing & e-commerce Aditya Babbar said, “At Samsung, we’re proud to empower India’s vibrant esports community with Galaxy devices designed for high-performance gaming. #PlayGalaxy Cup has now entered its fifth edition… we’ve taken it to the next level with even bigger battles and exclusive experiences.”
Over five seasons, #PlayGalaxy Cup has grown from tournament to creator-community powerhouse, cementing Samsung’s bond with Gen Z and millennial gamers fuelling India’s esports boom.
In a scene where mobile gaming is exploding, Samsung’s latest showcase wasn’t just a win for Kaashvi Warriors,it’s a statement that the right device can turn any matchup into a multi-million-view spectacle.
