iWorld
Full mobile number portability from July: Ravi Shankar Prasad
NEW DELHI: Communications and Information Technology minister Ravi Shankar Prasad has said that full mobile number portability will become operational across the country from July and consumers will get to keep the same numbers even when changing the telecom service provider.
He also announced on 2 June 2015 that Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) will offer free roaming all over the country from 15 June.
The telecom minister further added that spectrum sharing and trading policy would go to the Cabinet this month.
Last month, BSNL introduced an unlimited free calling scheme from 9 pm and 7 am to revive its landline business. BSNL has the largest number of landline customers, with a market share of 62.26 per cent.
The Minister regretted that BSNL, which had shown profits in 2004, was showing a deficit at present.
When asked about frequent call drop complaints by consumers, the Minister said he has asked officials if a scheme of disincentive for the operators can be put in place.
“Call drops are due to lack of towers. As far as installation is concerned it is subject to local law. No point to raise bogey of cell tower radiation and then complain of call drop,” Prasad said.
Additionally, answering a question relating to the controversial Section 66A of the IT Act 2000, Prasad said that the government fully backs freedom of speech.
Section 66A defines the punishment for sending “offensive” messages through a computer or any other communication device like a mobile phone or a tablet. A conviction can fetch a maximum of three years in jail and a fine.
The Supreme Court is already examining the constitutional validity of Section 66A of the amended IT Act following a batch of petitions alleging the section impinges upon the Fundamental Right to freedom of speech and expression.
The Minister said, “The case was pending in the court before I joined the ministry.”
iWorld
JioStar revenue hits Rs 9,784 crore as cricket fuels 22 per cent growth
A surge in digital viewership and sports dominance fuels a blockbuster quarter for the media giant
MUMBAI: JioStar is batting on a flat pitch. The media titan’s fourth-quarter results for the financial year 2026 reveal a business scaling new heights, propelled by an unprecedented appetite for premium sports and digital-first storytelling.
Gross revenue for the quarter soared by 22.15 per cent to Rs 9,784 crore, up from Rs 8,010 crore in the third quarter. Operationally, the momentum was equally strong; revenue from operations climbed 21 per cent to Rs 8,372 crore. These figures underscore the firm’s successful integration following the Reliance and Disney merger, creating a dominant force in the Indian market.
The annual performance has been nothing short of a spectacle. Full-year gross revenue reached a massive Rs 36,248 crore, while annual profit after tax hit Rs 3,210 crore. This rapid expansion reflects JioStar’s ability to capture and monetise the massive growth in India’s media consumption.
Cricket proved to be the ultimate growth engine. The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 and TATA IPL 2026 delivered “record-breaking viewership” across both television and digital screens. The World Cup final alone drew a global peak concurrency of 72.5 million on JioHotstar, cementing its status as the nation’s premier streaming destination. On television, JioStar maintained a commanding 34.2 per cent viewership share, reaching a staggering 810 million viewers nationwide.
The digital numbers were just as impressive. JioHotstar averaged 500 million monthly active users, driven by consistent subscriber growth and innovative AI-led content discovery tools. These advancements are ensuring that JioStar remains at the cutting edge of the global “Race for Attention.”
With a firm grip on the country’s most valuable sporting rights and a rapidly growing digital footprint, JioStar is perfectly positioned for the future. It has built the ultimate content powerhouse—one that is ready to dominate the Indian living room for years to come.
