News Broadcasting
Reliance Infocomm launches full suite of ISP services
MUMBAI: Reliance Infocomm has announced a full suite of ISP services for its subscribers under the R-Connect service platform.
The company claims that apart from high Internet access speeds, R-Connect users can now enjoy email service with a 10-MB mailbox, the lowest Internet access charges and hassle-free connection as wireless lines provide instant and constant connectivity.
With a monthly charge of Rs 650, the new ‘Freedom Plan’ offers the subscribers an unlimited Internet surfing option with maximum data downloads of up to 1GB per month, informs a company release. For unlimited data downloads the subscriber can opt for the ‘Platinum Plan’ at a monthly rental of Rs. 1500.
As part of the default plan subscribers can access the net at Rs.0.50/min between 6:00 am to 10:00 pm and Rs. 0.25/min between 10 pm to 6 am.
“Our expanding R-Connect user base has already established us as one of the largest ISPs in the country. Our current user research shows that the availability of Reliance’s Pan India network and the ability to access Internet while on the move, is an attractive proposition for users. With the launch of these attractive data tariffs, the user can now economically work from anywhere and access internet using our high speed wireless data connectivity,” Reliance Infocomm wireless business head Kamal Nanavaty.
| Freedom Plan | Platinum Plan | |
| Monthly Charges | 650 | Rs 1500 |
| Surfing | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Data Download | 1 GB | Unlimited |
| Excess Data Usage | Rs.5 / MB | |
| Default Voice (inclu SMS usage) | 100 frees domestic SMS One e-mail ID of 10 MB on SMTP Server with MB Web Page space Call / SMS charges as per plan chosen by customer
|
100 free domestic SMS One email id on SMTP server with 2 MB web page space Call/SMS charges per plan chosen by customer |
The user can configure his or her e-mail ID in the Name@ricmail.com format. The right to create the user ID will be available through the phone number configured for the service and the password sent in a PIN number format to the user through an SMS. The user can send and receive messages of a maximum 2 MB size (with attachment). A 2 MB webspace will also be allotted to the user with a domain name such as www.ricmail.com/userid and explicitly support the hosting of WebPages in HTML and Java formats, adds the release.
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.
