News Broadcasting
Gemini Communication buys out US-based PointRed Technologies
MUMBAI: In a bid to get a global presence, Gemini Communication Ltd, a provider in networking, systems integration and RFID solutions, is buying out the US-based PointRed Technologies for an undisclosed amount.
The acquisition of the wireless product company will help the Chennai company foray into a new segment. “We were implementing solutions on other product providers. Now we can provide solutions and offer an innovative product range. The buy out will help make us the largest broadband wireless access company in South Asia,” says Gemini Communication chairman Vijay Kumar.
PointRed Technologies has a presence in 12 countries with a turnover of $1.5 million. The company has been funded by Acer Technology Venture America to the tune of US $9.7 million.
“We will be getting into the DSL (digital subscriber line) segment. It will also help us in expanding rural connectivity. We will be aggressively targeting ISPs (internet service providers), telecom operators and corporates with multiple points,” says Kumar.
Gemini Communication is acquiring the entire share capital of Clear Blue Llc, the holding company of PointRed Technologies. The company owns IP’s and IPR’s products in the wireless broadband space.
PointRed has been commercially deploying its wireless broadband access solutions worldwide since June 2002. The company offers a pay-as-you-grow infrastructure and a NLOS solution that route around line-of-sight obstacles.
The acquisition of PointRed is expected to increase Gemini’s turnover from Rs 1.26 billion to Rs 2 billion this fiscal. “Over the years, Gemini Communication has been selling products of other companies. Through this acquisition, we will now be promoting our own brand and this will enable us to access the international markets in a shorter span of time in the wireless technology space”, says Kumar.
News Broadcasting
Network18 Q4 revenue grows 9.7 per cent, EBITDA at Rs 30 crore
PAT improves to Rs 306.6 crore, margins steady amid cost pressures.
MUMBAI: Not all news is breaking, some of it is quietly improving. Network18 Media & Investments Limited appears to be doing just that, tightening losses and stabilising margins even as costs continue to weigh on the business. For FY26, the company reported revenue from operations of Rs 1,955.1 crore, up from Rs 1,896.2 crore in FY25, signalling modest top-line growth in a challenging media environment. Total income stood at Rs 1,978.2 crore, compared to Rs 1,913 crore a year earlier.
Profit after tax came in at Rs 306.6 crore for the year, a sharp turnaround from Rs 3,225.4 crore in FY25, largely reflecting the absence of large exceptional items that had inflated the previous year’s numbers. On a more comparable basis, the company’s operating performance showed signs of gradual stabilisation.
However, the quarterly picture remained under pressure. For the March quarter, Network18 reported a loss of Rs 53.1 crore, narrower than the Rs 98.1 crore loss in the same period last year, but still indicative of ongoing cost challenges.
Expenses continued to track high. Total expenses for FY26 stood at Rs 2,235.7 crore, up from Rs 2,197.8 crore in FY25. Key cost heads included operational expenses of Rs 765.9 crore, employee benefits of Rs 475.9 crore, and marketing, distribution and promotional spends of Rs 427.1 crore, underlining the continued investment required to sustain reach and engagement.
At an operating level, margins remained under strain. Operating margin stood at 2.33 per cent for FY26, marginally higher than 1.77 per cent in FY25, while net profit margin remained negative at -13.02 per cent, though improved from -14.89 per cent.
On the balance sheet, total assets rose to Rs 8,957.6 crore as of 31 March 2026, from Rs 8,317.5 crore a year earlier. Equity strengthened to Rs 4,958.7 crore, while borrowings increased to Rs 3,112.8 crore, reflecting a higher reliance on debt to support operations.
Cash flows told a mixed story. While financing activities generated Rs 83.9 crore, operating cash flow remained negative at Rs -24 crore, highlighting ongoing pressure on core cash generation. Cash and cash equivalents, however, improved to Rs 33.9 crore from Rs 1.8 crore.
The numbers point to a company in transition growing revenues, trimming losses, but still grappling with structural cost pressures. In a sector where scale often comes at a price, Network18 seems to be inching towards balance, one quarter at a time.
