Bollywood star loses plea against 5G implementation
01 July 2021
The High Court in Delhi dismissed Bollywood actress-turned activist Juhi Chawla’s lawsuit challenging the 5G networks rollout in India.
Judges cited that the plaint was “not based on any special damage” suffered by the plaintiff by electromagnetic radiation or by cellular technology and imposed a fine of Rs20 lakh, because it held that the petition was filed for publicity.
Chawla filed a suit against the implementation of 5G in India alleging harmful effects of radio frequency radiation.
Find out more Bharti Airtel first to demo 5G
23 February 2021
Bharti Airtel became the first telecom operator to demonstrate its capability to roll out 5G wireless services in India, beating rival Reliance Jio Infocomm in the process.
The former said it conducted on-field trials in Hyderabad to establish its ability to launch 5G, or fifth generation, services. This new wireless service will pave the way for super-fast internet speeds and power internet of things (IoT) applications, such as driverless cars and smart cities.
Airtel’s achievement is also a boost for the company, which has been struggling to play catch-up with Jio for the past few years and has ceded its leadership in the Indian telecom market. The latter plans to launch the service later this year but has yet to complete trials.
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Myanmar's telcos restore internet services
17 February 2021
Internet access in Myanmar has been restored after authorities ordered the country’s operators to turn off data services, following widespread anti-government protests after a military coup.
Telenor Myanmar issued a short statement saying its data network is now back online. The company said the Ministry of Transport and Communications (MoTC) directed all mobile operators to temporarily shut down data networks, noting voice and SMS services remained open.
Telenor Group said in a separate statement it complied with the directive, as required by its licence, but added it “views this development with deep concern. We have emphasised to the authorities that access to telecom services should be maintained at all times, especially during times of conflict, to ensure people’s basic right to freedom of expression and access to information”.
Find out more BSNL deploys ST Engineering iDirect’s dialog platform to connect remote Indian islands
17 February 2021
Remote Indian islands are being connected
India’s state-owned telecom giant company BSNL will deploy solutions from ST Engineering iDirect to augment satellite bandwidth to the Indian islands of Andaman, Nicobar and Lakshadweep.
The deployment is part of a Universal Service Obligation (USO) project funded by the country’s Department of Telecommunications. Utilising the Newtec Dialog platform to provide internet and 2G, 3G and 4G services, the connectivity will boost social and economic activity to islands that previously had limited access to bandwidth.
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