Broadband
Government announces broadband policy
NEW DELHI: The government’s broadband policy announced today seems to be old wine in a new bottle and given to hype with a number of important issues — like total unbundling of copper loop and a reduction in the revenue sharing for a DTH licensee — not touched upon.
Giving details of the policy, IT and communication minister Dayanidhi Maran said that the aim is to target six million broadband and Internet subscribers by end 2005 and 20 million broadband and 40 Internet subscribers by 2020.
The policy also envisages allowing various service providers to enter into franchisee agreements with cable TV network operators for providing broadband services and de-licensing of bandwidth for Wi-Fi systems. Both the facts had been reported by indiantelevision.com earlier.
The new policy also emphasizes that it is aimed at encouraging the creation and growth of infrastructure through various access technologies and can mutually co-exist with technologies like optic fibre, digital subscriber line open copper loop, cable TV networks and satellite and terrestrial wiring.
According to Maran, “The choice is left to the service provider.” Maran also said that the demand for broadband is primarily conditioned and driven by Internet and PC penetration. It is recognised that the current level of Internet and broadband access in the country is low as compared to many Asian countries.
In India, the penetration of broadband, Internet and personal computer (PC) was 0.02 per cent, 0.4 per cent and 0.8 per cent, respectively at the end of December, 2003.
The policy defines broadband as an always-on data connection, supporting interactive services, including Internet access with minimum download speed of 256 Kbps per subscriber. The service providers are encouraged to select technologies and equipment offering higher data rate.
Further recognising that last mile copper loop is not a “bottleneck facility” for broadband services, access providers shall be free to enter into mutually agreed commercial arrangements for utilisation of available copper loop for expansion of broadband services including content. Use of brand name being treated as a part of the value shall be permitted in such commercial arrangements.
The new policy also envisages making available transponder capacity for very small aperture terminals (VSAT) services at competitive rates after taking into consideration security requirements.
According to Maran, the Department of Telecom (DoT), in consultation with the ministries, concerned would soon propose additional measures with regard to an open-sky policy for VSAT operators, who would be consulted while determining the transponder usage charges.
Interestingly, as reported by indiantelevision.com earlier, the policy states that various service providers shall be permitted to enter into franchisee agreements with cable TV network operators for providing broadband services. However, the licensee shall be responsible for compliance of the terms and conditions of the license.
In the case of DTH services, the service providers shall be permitted to provide receive-only-Internet service after obtaining an ISP license from Dot The DTH service providers will also be permitted to provide bi-directional Internet services after obtaining VSAT and ISP license from the Dot, but neither a DTH licensee’s revenue share (of 10 per cent), nor the license fee has been reduced as recommended by Telecom Regulatory Authority of India.
Bandwidth’s cost and availability, including international bandwidth, is a major driver for broadband services. In a competitive environment, service providers are expected to take appropriate steps for making required bandwidth available in a time bound manner within their license framework.
In view of this, the policy states that the license fee for Infrastructure Provider category-II, end-to-end bandwidth providers, to six per cent of adjusted gross revenue (AGR). Further, the amount of bank guarantee for such service provider has also been reduced to Rs 50 million from Rs 1,000 million.
The other salient features of the New Broadband Policy are as follows:-
* Spread of fibre networks shall be emphasised keeping in view the long-term perspective as they are able to provide huge amounts of bandwidth in the last mile as well as provide a true IP and converged network that can deliver high quality voice, data and video.
* It has been decided to delicence 2.40-2.48 GHz band for low power outdoor use on non-protection, non-interference and non-exclusive basis.
* The 5.15-5.35 GHz band shall be de-licensed for the indoor use of low power Wi-Fi systems. For outdoor use, the band 5.25-5.35 GHz shall be de-licensed in consultation with Department of Space while delicensing in the band 5.15-5.25 GHz would be considered after the process of vacation.
* In order to simplify SACFA/WPC clearance, the VSAT operators shall be allowed to start the installation process for VSAT terminals after a period of one month of submitting all relevant documents to WPC for SACFA/WPC clearance wherever the total height of such installation is less than five meters above the rooftop of an authorised building. In the case of Receive-Only VSAT terminals and DTH with Receive-Only-Internet, no SACFA/WPC clearance will be required wherever the total height of such installation is less than five metres above the rooftop of an authorised building.
* A transparent scheme is being outlined separately for time-bound frequency allocation, siting clearance and wireless licensing by removing the cumbersome procedures, computerization and by setting predetermined standards.
* To keep pace with technological advances, throughput and antenna size for VSATs are proposed to be reviewed periodically.
* Commercial VSAT service providers having ISP license shall be permitted use of same hub station and remote station to provide Internet service directly to the subscribers. Further this remote stations shall be permitted to be used as a distribution point to provide Internet services to multiple independent subscribers.
* The role of other facilitators such as electricity authorities, departments of IT of various state governments, departments of local self governments, panchayats, departments of health and family welfare, departments of education is very important to carry the advantage of broadband services to the users particularly in rural areas.
* The government has assigned a very high priority to indigenous manufacture of broadband related equipment and shall endeavour to work closely with the concerned ministries and manufacturers associations so that the equipment are made available at an affordable price.
* Simplification of various procedural matters regarding clearance before some licenses is given.
Broadband
Tejas Networks names Arnob Roy as MD and CEO, overhauls top leadership team
The Bengaluru-based telecom gear maker reshuffles its entire top team even as quarterly revenue collapses by 83 per cent
BENGALURU: Tejas Networks is changing the guard at the top, and doing so at speed. The Bengaluru-headquartered telecom equipment maker has elevated Arnob Roy as managing director and chief executive officer, effective April 15, 2026, for a term running through to August 3, 2028, and in the same breath announced new appointments across operations and finance. The timing is pointed: the company is navigating one of the roughest patches in its recent history.
Roy steps up from his role as executive director and chief operating officer, a position he has held since March 2019. He brings more than three decades of experience in the high-technology sector across research and development, operations, and sales. His predecessor, Anand Athreya, resigned last year citing personal reasons and was relieved on June 20, 2025, leaving a gap at the top that has now been formally filled.
The numbers Roy inherits are sobering. Tejas posted a net loss of Rs 211.3 crore in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2026, a near-194 per cent widening year on year from Rs 71.8 crore in the same period a year earlier. Revenue for the quarter collapsed 82.6 per cent year on year to Rs 333 crore, down from Rs 1,907 crore. EBITDA swung to a loss of Rs 118.2 crore against a profit of Rs 121.5 crore a year ago. The culprit is not hard to identify: Tejas has derived the bulk of its revenue from BSNL’s fourth-generation network project, delivered as part of a Tata Consultancy Services-driven consortium, and that roll-out is now winding down.
Roy, speaking during a post-earnings conference call with analysts, was candid about where the company has been. “The BSNL 4G network went live across 100,000 sites. We deployed our largest indigenous router networks in the country through the BSNL MAN network, as well as in the BharatNet Phase 3 network,” he said, adding that Tejas had also successfully rolled out its 400G and 800G DWDM equipment in domestic and international markets, and continued the deployment of what it describes as the world’s largest satellite IoT network through its vehicle tracking system solution.
The pivot to new revenue streams is already under way. Tejas has partnered with Japan’s Rakuten Symphony and NEC Corporation to push deeper into international markets, with several Open Radio Access Network trials ongoing, one of which concluded recently. The company is also diversifying across equipment categories and geographies to sustain momentum as the BSNL chapter closes.
To prosecute that strategy, Roy needs a full team around him. Preetham Uthaiah has been appointed chief operating officer, moving up from his current role as vice president of product management for wireless products at Tejas Networks. Uthaiah brings nearly 30 years of global experience spanning engineering, product management, and business development across India and the United States. Before joining Tejas Networks, he served as executive vice president of product management, marketing, and strategy at Saankhya Labs, and held senior roles at Tech Mahindra on both sides of the Atlantic. He holds an MBA from Arizona State University and a degree in electronics and communications from Karnatak University.
On the finance front, AVS Prasad has been approved as chief financial officer, effective May 16, 2026, succeeding Sumit Dhingra, who has resigned. Prasad, currently serving as finance controller at Tejas Networks, brings over 27 years of experience within the Tata Group across telecom, aerostructures, and defence. A company secretary and cost and management accountant by training, he has spent more than 15 years in senior finance roles including CFO and financial controller positions, with expertise spanning corporate finance, treasury management, regulatory compliance, internal audit, and governance.
New chief executive, new chief operating officer, new chief financial officer — all installed in a single move, at a moment when the company’s largest revenue source is drying up and the next chapter remains unwritten. Tejas Networks has placed its bets. Now it has to deliver.
