iWorld
Spectrum issue gets resolved, nine bands reserved for telecom and broadcasting
NEW DELHI: Resolving an issue that was pending for the past eight years, 31 bands of spectrum have been set aside for telecom and broadcasting.
According to a cabinet decision, nine out of 49 bands between 3 Mhz to 40 Ghz will be reserved for defence, while a group will be formed to decide on the allocation of the remaining nine bands for other Ministries.
There will be spectrum swapping with users like defence vacating the ones, which have not been earmarked for them and moving into those reserved for them, following the decision, Telecom Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad told reporters.
The Cabinet also approved swapping of 15 Megahertz of 3G spectrum between Defence and the Telecom Ministries. However, the government will be able to provide it after completion of the harmonisation process.
“The band in 1700 to 2000 MHz is required to be harmonised. The Cabinet has approved that this harmonisation is to be done in a period of one year,” Prasad said.
The Telecom Ministry has proposed to exchange 15 Mhz spectrum it holds in the 1,900 Mhz band with same quantum of airwaves held by Defence in 2100 Mhz. The 2100 Mhz band is currently used for 3G services.
“Swapping of 15 MHz in the frequency band of 1900 MHz with Telecom has been permitted to be done. Now the swapping will happen but it will take some time,” Prasad added.
The Cabinet has asked the ministries involved in the process to complete harmonisation within a year.
The government has identified that entire spectrum 50 km inside the Indian territory from international border will be classified as Defence Interest Zone.
“The area in 50 km on the border of India is called Defence Interest Zone [DIZ]. In peace time telecom operation that we will do we will inform Defence that this is our infrastructure. In the time of hostility, then those will come under the jurisdiction of Defence,” Prasad said.
iWorld
Airtel bets big on digital lending with Rs 20,000 Cr NBFC push
Telecom giant aims to transform India’s credit scene with a high-scale NBFC plan
NEW DELHI: Bharati Airtel is taking a bold step into the financial world. The telecom giant has announced plans to supercharge its Non-Banking Financial Company, Airtel Money Limited, with a whopping Rs 20,000 crore over the coming years.
Airtel will fund 70 per cent of the capital, with the remaining 30 per cent coming from the promoter group via Bharti Enterprises Limited. The move is designed to narrow India’s credit gap and bring simple, secure digital lending to more consumers.
The company is not starting from scratch. Its existing digital lending platform has already disbursed over Rs 9,000 crore, backed by smart underwriting, disciplined portfolio management, and real-time risk monitoring. With 500 plus data scientists and robust analytics, Airtel claims it has built one of the country’s most trusted lending service provider models.
Bharti Airtel executive vice chairman Gopal Vittal said, “Our success over the past two years shows how technology, data, and customer trust can create impact at a national scale. With this NBFC expansion, we aim to build a future-ready digital lending business that stands for trust, innovation, and inclusion.”
Airtel Money received its NBFC licence from the Reserve Bank of India on 13 February 2026. The expansion taps into India’s fast-growing financial sector, where formal credit accounts for just 53 per cent of GDP, highlighting huge room for growth.
The NBFC’s operations will integrate seamlessly with Airtel’s existing lending platform, keeping processes clear for customers while delivering a smooth experience. By leveraging its vast telecom customer base, Airtel aims to set a new benchmark in digital financial services and make lending accessible, simple, and reliable.
The Reserve Bank of India has noted that while Airtel Money has a valid registration certificate, it does not guarantee the company’s financial soundness or the repayment of liabilities.
