Editing Telecommunications in India (section)

==History==

===The beginning===
[[File:BSNL Microwave Tower Mangalore 0210.JPG|thumb|right|A microwave tower for short distance (~50 km) communication]]
Prof. [[S. P. Chakravarti]] is known as the father of electronics and [[telecommunications engineering]] in India.<ref>{{Cite journal|url=https://doi.org/10.1080/03772063.1982.11452762|title=Prof. S.P. Chakravarti (1904–1981)|first=S. N.|last=Mitra|date=1 August 1982|journal=IETE Journal of Research|volume=28|issue=8|pages=385–390|via=Taylor and Francis+NEJM|doi=10.1080/03772063.1982.11452762}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last=Mallick |first=M.C. |date=1989 |title=A Survey of Research and Development in Electronics and Telecommunications in India Over a Century (1850-1950) |url=https://insa.nic.in/writereaddata/UpLoadedFiles/IJHS/Vol24_4_5_MCMallik.pdf |journal=[[Indian Journal of History of Science]] |volume=24 |issue=4 |pages=284–317 |access-date=15 March 2024 |archive-date=26 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230426140513/https://insa.nic.in/writereaddata/UpLoadedFiles/IJHS/Vol24_4_5_MCMallik.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="auto">{{Cite web|url=https://in.booksc.eu/book/53133498/850b31|title=Prof. S.P. Chakravarti (1904–1981) &#124; Mitra, S.N. &#124; download|website=in.booksc.eu}}{{Dead link|date=May 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> He started electronics and telecommunications education, training and research in India.
Telecommunications in India began with the introduction of the [[Telegraphy]]. The Indian postal and telecom sectors are one of the world's oldest. In 1850, the first experimental electric telegraph line was started between [[Kolkata]] and [[Diamond Harbour]].<ref>{{Cite news|last=Joshi|first=Sandeep|date=2013-06-12|title=Dot, dash, full stop: Telegram service ends July 15|language=en-IN|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/dot-dash-full-stop-telegram-service-ends-july-15/article4806921.ece|access-date=2021-06-06|issn=0971-751X|archive-date=6 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210606064233/https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/dot-dash-full-stop-telegram-service-ends-july-15/article4806921.ece|url-status=live}}</ref> In 1851, it was opened for the use of the [[East India Company]]. The Posts and Telegraphs department occupied a small corner of the Public Works Department at that time.<ref>{{cite web|title=Public Works Department|url=http://www.pwd.delhigovt.nic.in|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100325232631/http://pwd.delhigovt.nic.in/|archive-date=25 March 2010|access-date=1 September 2010|publisher=Pwd.delhigovt.nic.in|df=dmy-all}}</ref>{{Irrelevant citation|reason=The cited source does not substantiate the claim|date=June 2021}}

The construction of {{Convert|4000|mi}} of telegraph lines was started in November 1853. These connected Kolkata (then Calcutta) and [[Peshawar]] in the north; [[Agra]], [[Mumbai]] (then Bombay) through Sindwa Ghats, and [[Chennai]] (then Madras) in the south; [[Ooty]] and [[Bangalore]]. [[William Brooke O'Shaughnessy|William O'Shaughnessy]], who pioneered the [[Telegraphy]] and telephone in India, belonged to the Public Works Department, and worked towards the development of telecom throughout this period. A separate department was opened in 1854 when telegraph facilities were opened to the public.

In 1880, two telephone companies, namely the [[Oriental Telephone Company]] Ltd. and the Anglo-Indian Telephone Company Ltd. approached the [[Government of India]] to establish a [[telephone exchange]] in India. Permission was refused on the grounds that the establishment of telephone networking was a government monopoly and that the government itself should undertake the work. In 1881, the government later reversed its earlier decision and a licence was granted to the [[Oriental Telephone Company]] Limited of England for opening telephone exchanges at [[Kolkata]], [[Mumbai]], [[Chennai]] and [[Ahmedabad]] and the first formal telephone service was established in the country.<ref name="ind_telecom_iim">{{cite web|url=http://www.iimcal.ac.in/community/consclub/reports/telecom.pdf|publisher=IIM Calcutta|title=The Indian Telecom Industry|author=Vatsal Goyal, Premraj Suman|access-date=26 May 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100331034812/http://www.iimcal.ac.in/community/consclub/reports/telecom.pdf|archive-date=31 March 2010|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref> On 28 January 1882, Major E. Baring, Member of the [[Governor General|Governor General of India]]'s Council declared open the Telephone Exchanges in Calcutta, Bombay and Madras. The exchange in Calcutta named the "Central Exchange" had a total of 93 subscribers in its early stage. Later that year, Bombay also witnessed the opening of a telephone exchange.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.calcuttatelephones.com/history_ctd.shtml | title=History of Calcutta telephones | publisher=Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited | access-date=21 June 2012 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120615124411/http://www.calcuttatelephones.com/history_ctd.shtml | archive-date=15 June 2012 | url-status=live | df=dmy-all }}</ref>

===Further developments and milestones===
[[File:Indian telegraph receipt 1912.jpg|thumb|Indian telegraph receipt 1912 (front top and back bottom) with additional labels]]
* 1901 – First [[wireless telegraph]] station established between [[Sagar Island]] and [[Sandhead]].
* Pre-1902 – [[Telegraphy|Cable telegraph]].
* 1907 – First Central Battery of telephones introduced in [[Kanpur]].
* 1913–1914 – First Automatic Exchange installed in [[Shimla]].
* 1927 – Radio-telegraph system between the UK and India, with [[Imperial Wireless Chain]] beam stations at [[Khadki]] and [[Daund]]. Inaugurated by [[Lord Irwin]] on 23 July by exchanging greetings with [[George V|King George V]].
* 1933 – [[Radiotelephone]] system inaugurated between the UK and India.
* 1947 - First [[Electronics and Telecommunications Engineering]] department started in India at the [[Government Engineering College, Jabalpur]].<ref name="patrika.com">{{cite web| url = https://www.patrika.com/jabalpur-news/jabalpur-engineering-collage-has-first-high-voltage-lab-of-country-1445162/| url-status = dead| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210521200053/https://www.patrika.com/jabalpur-news/jabalpur-engineering-collage-has-first-high-voltage-lab-of-country-1445162/| archive-date = 21 May 2021| title = Jabalpur Engineering Collage Has First High Voltage Lab Of Country - प्रदेश के इस पहले इंजीनियरिंग कॉलेज में है देश की पहली हाई वोल्टेज लैब, आप भी जानिए {{!}} Patrika News}}</ref>
* 1951 - First TV transmitter of India was installed at the [[Government Engineering College, Jabalpur]], on 24 October.<ref>[https://www.jecjabalpur.ac.in/advertisement/jec%20annual%20report%202018-19020720021126.pdf Annual report 2018] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210512101946/https://www.jecjabalpur.ac.in/advertisement/jec%20annual%20report%202018-19020720021126.pdf |date=12 May 2021 }} jecjabalpur.ac.in</ref><ref name="patrika.com"/>
* 1953 – 12 channel carrier system introduced.
* 1960 – First [[subscriber trunk dialling]] route commissioned between [[Lucknow]] and [[Kanpur]].<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=TeqRAAAAQBAJ&q=First+subscriber+trunk+route+commissioned+between+Lucknow+and+Kanpur&pg=PA49|title=India Telecom Laws and Regulations Handbook|date=2008-03-03|publisher=Int'l Business Publications|isbn=978-1-4330-8190-3|language=en}}{{Dead link|date=November 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>
* 1975 – First [[Pulse-code modulation|PCM]] system commissioned between [[Mumbai]] City and [[Andheri]] telephone exchanges.
* 1976 – First [[Digital data|digital]] [[microwave]] junction.
* 1979 – First [[optical fibre]] system for local junction commissioned at [[Pune]].
* 1980 – First [[satellite earth station]] for domestic communications established at [[Sikandrabad|Sikandarabad]], [[Uttar Pradesh|U.P.]]
* 1983 – First [[Analog signal|analogue]] Stored Programme Control exchange for [[trunk line]]s commissioned at Mumbai.
* 1984 – [[C-DOT]] established for indigenous development and production of [[Digital data|digital]] exchanges.
* 1995 – First [[mobile telephone]] service started on non-commercial basis on 15 August 1995 in [[Delhi]].
* 1995 – Internet Introduced in India starting with Laxmi Nagar, Delhi 15 August 1995<ref>{{cite web |url=http://dxm.org/techonomist/news/vsnlnow.html |title=VSNL starts India's first Internet service today |publisher=Dxm.org |date=14 August 1995 |access-date=15 August 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150901102755/http://dxm.org/techonomist/news/vsnlnow.html |archive-date=1 September 2015 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all }}</ref>
* 2020 – The PM-WANI framework envisages provision of Broadband through Public Wi-Fi Hotspot providers.<ref>{{Cite web |title=PM-WANI Central Registry |url=https://pmwani.gov.in/wani/ |access-date=2024-04-09 |website=pmwani.gov.in |archive-date=29 April 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240429043454/https://pmwani.gov.in/wani/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

'''Development of Broadcasting:''' Radio broadcasting was initiated in 1927 but became state responsibility only in 1930. In 1937 it was given the name ''[[All India Radio]]'' and since 1957 it has been called ''Akashvani''.<ref name=Schwartzberg>Schwartzberg, Joseph E. (2008), ''India'', [[Encyclopædia Britannica]]</ref> Limited duration of television programming began in 1959, and complete broadcasting followed in 1965. The [[Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (India)|Ministry of Information and Broadcasting]] owned and maintained the audio-visual apparatus—including the television channel ''[[Doordarshan]]''—in the country prior to the [[Economic liberalisation in India|economic reforms of 1991]]. In 1997, an autonomous body was established in the name of [[Prasar Bharti]] to take care of the public service broadcasting under the Prasar Bharti Act. All India Radio and Doordarshan, which earlier were working as media units under the Ministry of I&B became constituents of the body.<ref name="Raju Thomas"/>

'''Pre-liberalisation statistics:''' While all the major cities and towns in the country were linked with telephones during the [[British Raj|British]] period, the total number of telephones in 1948 numbered only around 80,000. Post-independence, growth remained slow because the telephone was seen more as a status symbol rather than being an instrument of utility. The number of telephones grew leisurely to 980,000 in 1971, 2.15 million in 1981 and 5.07 million in 1991, the year economic reforms were initiated in the country.

===Liberalisation and privatisation===
[[File:Cell Phone Tower in Ladakh India with Buddhist Prayer Flags.jpg|thumb|A mobile phone tower in Leh, Ladakh, India, surrounded by Buddhist prayer flags]]

The liberalisation of the Indian telecommunications industry started in 1981 when then Prime Minister [[Indira Gandhi]] signed contracts with Alcatel CIT of France to merge with the state owned Telecom Company (ITI), in an effort to set up 5 million telecom lines per year. Soon after the contracts were signed, the policy was left unfufilled due to political opposition.<ref name="Dash" /> Attempts to liberalise the telecommunication industry were continued by the following government under the prime-minister-ship of [[Rajiv Gandhi]]. He invited [[Sam Pitroda]], a US-based [[Non-resident Indian and person of Indian origin|Non-resident Indian (NRI)]] and a former [[Rockwell International]] executive to set up a [[C-DOT|Centre for Development of Telematics]] (C-DOT) which manufactured electronic telephone exchanges in India for the first time.<ref name="Kohli2006">{{cite book|author=Vanita Kohli|title=The Indian Media Business|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=hllyb6ymMy0C&pg=RA3-PA189|access-date=19 June 2012|date=14 June 2006|publisher=SAGE|isbn=978-0-7619-3469-1|pages=189–|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130509102802/http://books.google.com/books?id=hllyb6ymMy0C&pg=RA3-PA189|archive-date=9 May 2013|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref> Sam Pitroda had a significant role as a consultant and adviser in the development of telecommunication in India.<ref>{{cite book|author=Marcus F. Franda|title=China and India Online: Information Technology Politics and Diplomacy in the World's Two Largest Nations|url=https://archive.org/details/chinaindiaonline0000fran|url-access=registration|access-date=19 June 2012|year=2002|publisher=Rowman & Littlefield|isbn=978-0-7425-1946-6|pages=[https://archive.org/details/chinaindiaonline0000fran/page/137 137]–|df=dmy-all}}</ref>

In 1985, the [[Department of Telecom]] (DoT) was separated from Indian Post & Telecommunication Department. DoT was responsible for telecom services in entire country until 1986 when [[Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Limited]] (MTNL) and [[Videsh Sanchar Nigam Limited]] (VSNL) were carved out of DoT to run the telecom services of metro cities ([[Delhi]] and [[Mumbai]]) and international long-distance operations respectively.<ref name="Kohli2006"/>

The demand for telephones continued to increase and in the 1990s the Indian government was under mounting pressure to open up the telecom sector for private investment as a part of the [[Liberalisation]]-[[Privatisation]]-[[Globalisation]] policies that the government accepted to overcome the severe fiscal crisis and resultant [[balance of payments]] issue in 1991. Consequently, private investment in the sector of Value Added Services (VAS) was allowed and cellular telecom sector were opened up for competition from private investments. It was during this period that the [[Narsimha Rao]]-led government introduced the ''National Telecommunications policy (NTP)'' in 1994 which brought changes in the ownership, service and regulation of the national telecommunications infrastructure. The policy introduced the concept of ''telecommunication for all'' and its vision was to expand the telecommunication facilities to all the villages in India.<ref name="Arasu2008">{{cite book|author=J.G. Valan Arasu|title=Globalisation And Infrastructural Development In India|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=lqCNSdZwcsUC&pg=PA105|access-date=19 June 2012|date=1 April 2008|publisher=Atlantic Publishers & Dist|isbn=978-81-269-0973-5|pages=105–|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130509115558/http://books.google.com/books?id=lqCNSdZwcsUC&pg=PA105|archive-date=9 May 2013|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref> Liberalisation in the basic telecom sector was also envisaged in this policy.<ref name="Dossani2002">{{cite book|author=Rafiq Dossani|title=Telecommunications Reform in India|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=waNrXeuXcacC&pg=PA106|access-date=19 June 2012|date=1 July 2002|publisher=Greenwood Publishing Group|isbn=978-1-56720-502-2|pages=106–|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130509122052/http://books.google.com/books?id=waNrXeuXcacC&pg=PA106|archive-date=9 May 2013|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref> They were also successful in establishing joint ventures between state owned telecom companies and international players. Foreign firms were eligible to 49% of the total stake. The multi-nationals were just involved in technology transfer, and not policy making.<ref name="Dash">{{cite web|url=http://www.thunderbird.edu/wwwfiles/publications/magazine/fall2005/pdf-files/Telecom_RevJune27AS__1.pdf|title=Veto Players and the Deregulation of State-Owned Enterprises: The Case of Telecommunications in India|last=Dash|first=Kishore|access-date=26 June 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080911040829/http://www.thunderbird.edu/wwwfiles/publications/magazine/fall2005/pdf-files/Telecom_RevJune27AS__1.pdf|archive-date=11 September 2008|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref>

During this period, the World Bank and [[ITU]] had advised the Indian Government to liberalise long-distance services to release the monopoly of the state-owned DoT and VSNL and to enable competition in the long-distance carrier business which would help reduce tariff's and better the economy of the country. The Rao run government instead liberalised the local services, taking the opposite political parties into confidence and assuring foreign involvement in the long-distance business after 5 years. The country was divided into 20 telecommunication circles for basic telephony and 18 circles for mobile services. These circles were divided into category A, B and C depending on the value of the revenue in each circle. The government threw open the bids to one private company per circle along with government-owned DoT per circle. For cellular service two service providers were allowed per circle and a 15 years licence was given to each provider. During all these improvements, the government did face oppositions from [[Indian Telephone Industries|ITI]], DoT, MTNL, VSNL and other labour unions, but they managed to keep away from all the hurdles.<ref name="Dash"/>

In 1997, the government set up TRAI ([[Telecom Regulatory Authority of India]]) which reduced the interference of Government in deciding tariffs and policymaking. The political powers changed in 1999 and the new government under the leadership of [[Atal Bihari Vajpayee]] was more pro-reforms and introduced better liberalisation policies. In 2000, the [[Premiership of Atal Bihari Vajpayee|Vajpayee government]] constituted the [[Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal]] (TDSAT) through an amendment of the TRAI Act, 1997.<ref name="TDSAT - profile">{{cite web|title=TDSAT - profile|url=http://tdsat.nic.in/profile2.htm|access-date=20 May 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120508223006/http://www.tdsat.nic.in/profile2.htm|archive-date=8 May 2012}}</ref><ref name="TRAI Act">{{cite web|title=TRAI Act|url=http://www.tdsat.nic.in/Vol.1_%20Part-1%28bare%20acts%29.pdf|access-date=20 May 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130520005806/http://www.tdsat.nic.in/Vol.1_%20Part-1%28bare%20acts%29.pdf|archive-date=20 May 2013|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref> The primary objective of TDSAT's establishment was to release TRAI from adjudicatory and dispute settlement functions in order to strengthen the regulatory framework. Any dispute involving parties like licensor, licensee, service provider and consumers are resolved by TDSAT. Moreover, any direction, order or decision of TRAI can be challenged by appealing in TDSAT.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.dot.gov.in/osp/Brochure/Brochure.htm |title= Department of Telecommunications Ministry of Communications & IT |url-status= dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20111124101505/http://www.dot.gov.in/osp/Brochure/Brochure.htm |archive-date= 24 November 2011 |df= dmy-all }}</ref> The government corporatised the operations wing of DoT on 1 October 2000 and named it as ''Department of Telecommunication Services (DTS)'' which was later named as [[Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited]] (BSNL). The proposal of raising the stake of foreign investors from 49% to 74% was rejected by the opposite political parties and leftist thinkers. Domestic business groups wanted the government to privatise VSNL. Finally in April 2002, the government decided to cut its stake of 53% to 26% in VSNL and to throw it open for sale to private enterprises. TATA finally took 25% stake in VSNL.<ref name="Dash"/>

This was a gateway to many foreign investors to get entry into the Indian telecom markets. After March 2000, the government became more liberal in making policies and issuing licences to private operators. The government further reduced licence fees for [cellular service providers and increased the allowable stake to 74% for foreign companies. Because of all these factors, the service fees finally reduced and the call costs were cut greatly enabling every common middle-class family in India to afford a cell phone. Nearly 32 million handsets were sold in India. The data reveals the real potential for growth of the Indian mobile market.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.trai.gov.in/trai/upload/Reports/1/report31jan06.pdf |title=Draft Information Paper on Dial-up Internet Access |access-date=1 September 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110720114530/http://www.trai.gov.in/trai/upload/Reports/1/report31jan06.pdf |archive-date=20 July 2011 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all }}</ref> Many private operators, such as [[Reliance Communications]], [[Jio]], [[Tata Indicom]], [[Vodafone Essar|Vodafone]], [[Loop Mobile India|Loop Mobile]], [[Airtel India|Airtel]], [[Idea Cellular|Idea]] etc., successfully entered the high potential Indian telecom market. In the initial 5–6 years the average monthly subscribers additions were around 0.05 to 0.1 million only and the total mobile subscribers base in December 2002 stood at 10.5 million. However, after a number of proactive initiatives taken by regulators and licensors, the total number of mobile subscribers has increased rapidly to over 929 million subscribers as of May 2012.

In March 2008, the total [[GSM]] and [[CDMA]] mobile subscriber base in the country was 375 million, which represented a nearly 50% growth when compared with previous year.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/News/News-By-Industry/Telecom/GSM-CDMA-players-maintain-subscriber-growth-momentum/articleshow/4281903.cms|title=GSM, CDMA players maintain subscriber growth momentum-Telecom-News By Industry-News-The Economic Times|publisher=Economictimes.indiatimes.com|date=18 March 2009|access-date=22 July 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160726202022/http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/news-by-industry/telecom/gsm-cdma-players-maintain-subscriber-growth-momentum/articleshow/4281903.cms|archive-date=26 July 2016|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref>
As the unbranded Chinese cell phones which do not have [[International Mobile Equipment Identity]] (IMEI) numbers pose a serious security risk to the country, [[Mobile network operator]]s therefore suspended the usage of around 30 million mobile phones (about 8% of all mobiles in the country) by 30 April 2009. Phones without valid IMEI cannot be connected to cellular operators.<ref>[http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Delhi/the-story-behind-mobiles-without-imei-number/article64200.ece "TTC DOT Directs ban on usage of Chinese"], ''The Hindu! News''  {{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref>

India has opted for the use of both the [[Global System for Mobile Communications|GSM (global system for mobile communications)]] and [[Code division multiple access|CDMA (code-division multiple access)]] technologies in the [[mobile phone|mobile]] sector. In addition to [[landline]] and mobile phones, some of the companies also provide the [[Wireless local loop|WLL]] service. The mobile tariffs in India have also become the lowest in the world. A new mobile connection can be activated with a monthly commitment of US$0.15 only.

Decentralisation has been the new push by the government through PM WANI scheme launched in Dec 2020 to push Internet penetration above the current 50% threshold into smaller towns and villages.<ref>{{Cite web |title=India: internet penetration rate 2024 |url=https://www.statista.com/statistics/792074/india-internet-penetration-rate/ |access-date=2024-04-10 |website=Statista |language=en |archive-date=10 April 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240410071327/https://www.statista.com/statistics/792074/india-internet-penetration-rate/ |url-status=live }}</ref> This opens up opportunities for multiple small and medium scale local business models<ref>{{Cite web |title=PM-WANI Central Registry |url=https://pmwani.gov.in/wani/ |access-date=2024-04-10 |website=pmwani.gov.in |archive-date=29 April 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240429043454/https://pmwani.gov.in/wani/ |url-status=live }}</ref> as well as decentralized solutions using [[Cryptocurrency|Blockchain]].

===Licence cancellation===
{{Main|2G spectrum case}}

On 2 February 2012 the Supreme Court ruled on petitions filed by [[Subramanian Swamy]] and the Centre for Public Interest Litigation (CPIL) represented by [[Prashant Bhushan]], challenging the 2008 allotment of 2G licenses,<ref name=license /> cancelling all 122 spectrum licences granted during [[A. Raja]] ([[Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (India)|Minister of Communications & IT from 2007 to 2009]]), the primary official accused's term as communications minister.<ref name=license>{{cite news|title=Supreme Court quashes 122 2G licences awarded in 2008|url=http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report_supreme-court-quashes-122-2g-licences-awarded-in-2008_1645296|newspaper=DNA|access-date=3 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120614033029/http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report_supreme-court-quashes-122-2g-licences-awarded-in-2008_1645296|archive-date=14 June 2012|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref> and described the allocation of 2G spectrum as "unconstitutional and arbitrary".<ref>{{cite news|title=Five crore fine for Unitech, Swan and Tata Teleservices|url=http://www.ndtv.com/article/india/five-crore-fine-for-unitech-swan-and-tata-teleservices-172607|newspaper=NDTV|access-date=3 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131225162134/http://www.ndtv.com/article/india/five-crore-fine-for-unitech-swan-and-tata-teleservices-172607|archive-date=25 December 2013|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref> The bench of [[GS Singhvi]] and [[Asok Kumar Ganguly]] imposed a fine of {{INRConvert|50|m|nolink=yes}} on Unitech Wireless, Swan Telecom and Tata Teleservices and a {{INRConvert|5|m|nolink=yes}} fine on [[Loop Telecom]], [[S Tel]], Allianz Infratech and [[MTS India|Sistema Shyam Tele Services]].<ref name="SC quashes 122 licences">{{cite news|title=SC quashes 122 licences|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/2G-scam-SC-scraps-122-licences-granted-under-Rajas-tenure-trial-court-to-decide-on-Chidambarams-role/articleshow/11725097.cms|date=2 February 2012|access-date=3 July 2018|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120715072719/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-02-02/india/31016262_1_spectrum-licences-2g-spectrum-allotment-case|archive-date=15 July 2012|url-status=live|newspaper=[[The Times of India]]|df=dmy-all}}</ref> According to the ruling the then granted licences would remain in place for four months, after which time the government would reissue the licences.<ref>{{cite news|title=Licences to remain in place for 4 months|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/2G-scam-SC-quashes-122-licences-trial-court-to-decide-on-Chidambarams-role-CBI-to-submit-probe-report-to-CVC/articleshow/11724453.cms|newspaper=Times of India|access-date=3 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160506040824/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/2G-scam-SC-quashes-122-licences-trial-court-to-decide-on-Chidambarams-role-CBI-to-submit-probe-report-to-CVC/articleshow/11724453.cms|archive-date=6 May 2016|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref>

=== Consolidation ===
Post starting of the commercial operation of [[Reliance Jio]] in September 2016, the telecom market saw a huge change in terms of falling tariff rates and reduction of data charges, which changed the economics for some of the telecom players. This resulted in exit of many smaller players from the market. Players like Videocon and Systema sold their spectrum under spectrum trading agreements to Airtel and RCOM respectively in Q4 2016.

On 23 February 2017, [[Telenor India]] announced that [[Bharti Airtel]] will take over all its business and assets in India and deal will be completed in 12 months timeframe.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.telenor.com/media/press-release/bharti-airtel-to-take-ownership-of-telenors-operations-in-india | title=Bharti Airtel to take ownership of Telenor's operations in India | date=23 February 2017 | publisher=Telenor Group | access-date=13 January 2019 | archive-date=22 November 2018 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181122131846/https://www.telenor.com/media/press-release/bharti-airtel-to-take-ownership-of-telenors-operations-in-india | url-status=dead }}</ref> On 14 May 2018, [[Department of Telecommunications|Department of Telecom]] approved the merger of [[Telenor India]] with Bharti Airtel paving the way for final commercial closing of the merger between the two companies.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/company/corporate-trends/dot-approves-merger-of-bharti-airtel-and-telenor-india/articleshow/64157286.cms|title={title}|newspaper=The Economic Times |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612143719/https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/company/corporate-trends/dot-approves-merger-of-bharti-airtel-and-telenor-india/articleshow/64157286.cms|archive-date=12 June 2018|url-status=live|access-date=20 July 2018|df=dmy-all|last1=Aulakh |first1=Gulveen }}</ref> [[Telenor India]] has been acquired by Airtel almost without any cost.

On 12 October 2017, [[Bharti Airtel]] announced that it would acquire the consumer mobile businesses of [[Tata Teleservices]] Ltd (TTSL) and Tata Teleservices Maharastra Ltd (TTML) in a debt-free cash-free deal. The deal was essentially free for [[Airtel India|Airtel]] which incurred TTSL's unpaid spectrum payment liability. TTSL will continue to operate its enterprise, fixed line and broadband businesses and its stake in tower company Viom Networks.<ref>{{cite web|title=Bharti Airtel to acquire Tata's mobile business on debt-free cash-free basis|url=http://www.businesstoday.in/current/corporate/bharti-airtel-acquire-tata-teleservices-ttsl-consumer-mobile-business/story/261930.html|website=www.businesstoday.in|date=12 October 2017 |access-date=18 November 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171115064028/http://www.businesstoday.in/current/corporate/bharti-airtel-acquire-tata-teleservices-ttsl-consumer-mobile-business/story/261930.html|archive-date=15 November 2017|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Tata and Bharti to combine consumer telecom business via @tatacompanies|url=http://www.tata.com/company/releasesinside/tata-bharti-combine-telecom-business|website=tata.com|access-date=18 November 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171112170337/http://www.tata.com/company/releasesinside/tata-bharti-combine-telecom-business|archive-date=12 November 2017|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last1=Kurup|first1=Rajesh|title=Tata Tele hangs up on mobile business; Airtel picks it up|url=http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/info-tech/bharti-airtel-to-merge-consumer-mobile-business-of-tata-teleservices/article9901695.ece|website=The Hindu Business Line|access-date=18 November 2017|date=12 October 2017|archive-date=29 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200729031248/https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/info-tech/tata-tele-hangs-up-on-mobile-business-airtel-picks-it-up/article9901695.ece|url-status=live}}</ref> The consumer mobile businesses of Tata Docomo, Tata Teleservices (TTSL) and Tata Teleservices Maharashtra Limited (TTML) have been merged into [[Bharti Airtel]] from 1 July 2019<ref>{{Cite web |last=bureau |first=Odisha Diary |date=2017-10-12 |title=Tata and Bharti to Combine Consumer Telecom Business |url=https://orissadiary.com/tata-bharti-combine-consumer-telecom-business/ |access-date=2022-02-27 |website=Odisha News {{!}} Odisha Breaking News {{!}} Latest Odisha News |language=en-US |archive-date=27 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220227092655/https://orissadiary.com/tata-bharti-combine-consumer-telecom-business/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/info-tech/airtel-tata-tele-merger-completed/article28251509.ece|title=Airtel's Tata merger deal|date=1 July 2019|publisher=Business Line|access-date=3 July 2019|archive-date=15 September 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230915075303/https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/info-tech/airtel-tata-tele-merger-completed/article28251509.ece|url-status=live}} {{verify source |date=September 2019 |reason=This ref was deleted ([[Special:Diff/911053062]]) by a bug in VisualEditor and later restored by a bot from the original cite at [[Special:Permalink/911044148]] cite #9 - please verify the cite's accuracy and remove this {verify source} template. [[User:GreenC bot/Job 18]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/telecom/telecom-news/tata-teleservices-merger-dot-seeks-rs-7200-crore-bank-guarantee-from-airtel/articleshow/68833052.cms|title=DoT approved deal of Tata and Bharti Airtel|date=11 April 2019|newspaper=Economic Times|access-date=5 May 2019|archive-date=28 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200728031141/https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/telecom/telecom-news/tata-teleservices-merger-dot-seeks-rs-7200-crore-bank-guarantee-from-airtel/articleshow/68833052.cms|url-status=live}} {{verify source |date=September 2019 |reason=This ref was deleted ([[Special:Diff/911053062]]) by a bug in VisualEditor and later restored by a bot from the original cite at [[Special:Permalink/911044148]] cite #10 - please verify the cite's accuracy and remove this {verify source} template. [[User:GreenC bot/Job 18]]}}</ref>

[[Reliance Communications]] had to shut down its [[2G]] and [[3G]] services including all voice services and only offer [[4G]] data services from 29 December 2017, as a result of debt and a failed merger with [[Aircel]].<ref>{{cite news | url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/company/corporate-trends/reliance-communications-to-shut-voice-calls-from-next-month/articleshow/61504833.cms | title=Reliance Communications to shut voice calls from next month | newspaper=[[The Economic Times]] | date=4 November 2017 | access-date=29 November 2017 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201150023/https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/company/corporate-trends/reliance-communications-to-shut-voice-calls-from-next-month/articleshow/61504833.cms | archive-date=1 December 2017 | url-status=live | df=dmy-all }}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/debt-ridden-reliance-communication-to-shut-voice-calls-from-december-1/articleshow/61506688.cms | title=Debt ridden Reliance Communication to shut voice calls from December 1 | newspaper=[[The Times of India]] | date=4 November 2017 | access-date=29 November 2017 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171106032337/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/debt-ridden-reliance-communication-to-shut-voice-calls-from-december-1/articleshow/61506688.cms | archive-date=6 November 2017 | url-status=live | df=dmy-all }}</ref> Surprisingly, the shut down was shortly after completion of acquisition of [[MTS India]] on 31 October 2017.<ref>{{cite web|title=Reliance Communications Completes Merger With MTS|url=http://profit.ndtv.com/news/corporates/article-reliance-communications-completes-merger-with-mts-1769486|website=NDTV|date=31 October 2017 |access-date=18 November 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201040646/http://profit.ndtv.com/news/corporates/article-reliance-communications-completes-merger-with-mts-1769486|archive-date=1 December 2017|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Reliance Communications completes merger with MTS|url=http://zeenews.india.com/companies/reliance-communications-completes-merger-with-mts-2053315.html|website=Zee News|access-date=18 November 2017|date=31 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171108131849/http://zeenews.india.com/companies/reliance-communications-completes-merger-with-mts-2053315.html|archive-date=8 November 2017|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref> In February 2019, the company filed for bankruptcy as it was unable to sell assets to repay its debt.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Siddiqui |first1=Danish |title=RCom goes to bankruptcy court to resolve debt burden |url=https://in.reuters.com/article/rcom-debt/rcom-goes-to-bankruptcy-court-to-resolve-debt-burden-idINKCN1PQ4WT |access-date=28 February 2019 |work=Reuters |date=1 February 2019 |archive-date=27 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201027130609/https://in.reuters.com/article/rcom-debt/rcom-goes-to-bankruptcy-court-to-resolve-debt-burden-idINKCN1PQ4WT |url-status=dead }} {{verify source |date=September 2019 |reason=This ref was deleted ([[Special:Diff/911053838]]) by a bug in VisualEditor and later restored by a bot from the original cite at [[Special:Permalink/910312130]] cite #3 - please verify the cite's accuracy and remove this {verify source} template. [[User:GreenC bot/Job 18]]}}</ref> It has an estimated debt of ₹ 57,383 crore against assets worth ₹18,000 crore.<ref>{{cite news|last1=ET Bureau|title=RCom to move NCLT to offload assets, repay debt|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/telecom/anil-ambani-cant-find-a-fix-for-rcom-files-for-bankruptcy/articleshow/67798419.cms|access-date=28 February 2019|work=The Economic Times|date=2 February 2019|archive-date=19 September 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230919143059/https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/telecom/anil-ambani-cant-find-a-fix-for-rcom-files-for-bankruptcy/articleshow/67798419.cms|url-status=live}} {{verify source |date=September 2019 |reason=This ref was deleted ([[Special:Diff/911053838]]) by a bug in VisualEditor and later restored by a bot from the original cite at [[Special:Permalink/910312130]] cite #4 - please verify the cite's accuracy and remove this {verify source} template. [[User:GreenC bot/Job 18]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.livemint.com/industry/telecom/nclt-appoints-aneesh-nanavati-of-deloitte-as-rp-for-reliance-communications-1561128208280.html|title=NCLT appoints Aneesh Nanavati of Deloitte as RP for Reliance Communications|date=2019-06-21|website=www.livemint.com|language=en|access-date=2019-08-16|archive-date=16 August 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190816073459/https://www.livemint.com/industry/telecom/nclt-appoints-aneesh-nanavati-of-deloitte-as-rp-for-reliance-communications-1561128208280.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[Aircel]] shut down its operations in unprofitable circles including, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh (West) from 30 January 2018.<ref>{{cite web|title=Aircel to shut operations in six circles from January 30|date=20 December 2017 |url=http://www.moneycontrol.com/news/business/aircel-to-shut-operations-in-six-circles-from-january-30-2465863.html|publisher=[[Moneycontrol.com]]|access-date=3 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180103133457/http://www.moneycontrol.com/news/business/aircel-to-shut-operations-in-six-circles-from-january-30-2465863.html|archive-date=3 January 2018|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref> Aircel along with its units - Aircel Cellular and Dishnet Wireless - on 1 March 2018, filed for bankruptcy in the National Companies Law Tribunal (NCLT) in Mumbai due to huge competition and high levels of debt.

Vodafone and Idea Cellular completed their merger on 31 August 2018, and the merged entity is renamed to [[Vodafone Idea Limited|Vi]].<ref name="mergeraug">{{cite web|url=https://www.ideacellular.com/content/dam/ir/VIL%20Begins%20Operations%20(1).pdf|title=Merger of Idea Cellular and Vodafone India completed - creating India's largest telecom service provider|publisher=Idea|access-date=31 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180831142120/https://www.ideacellular.com/content/dam/ir/VIL%20Begins%20Operations%20(1).pdf|archive-date=31 August 2018|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref> The merger created the largest telecom company in India by subscribers and by revenue,<ref name="mergeraug"/> and the second largest mobile network in terms of number of subscribers in the world. Under the terms of the deal, the [[Vodafone Group]] holds a 45.1% stake in the combined entity, the [[Aditya Birla Group]] holds 26% and the remaining shares will be held by the public.<ref name="mergeraug"/> However, even after the merger both the brands have been continued to carry their own independent brands.<ref name="mergeraug"/>

With all this consolidation, the Indian mobile market has turned into a four-player market, with [[Jio]] as the number-one player, with revenue market share of 34%, [[Airtel India]] in second position, with revenue market share of 28% and [[Vodafone Idea|Vi]], with revenue market share of 27%. The government operator BSNL/MTNL is in the distant 4th position, with an approximate market share of 11%<ref>{{Cite news|last=Parbat|first=Kalyan|date=August 28, 2018|title=Reliance Jio {{!}} Mukesh Ambani: Reliance Jio inches closer to Bharti Airtel in terms of revenue market share|work=The Economic Times|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/telecom/telecom-news/reliance-jio-inches-closer-to-bharti-airtel-in-terms-of-revenue-market-share/articleshow/65556052.cms|access-date=2021-06-06|archive-date=22 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181122131914/https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/telecom/telecom-news/reliance-jio-inches-closer-to-bharti-airtel-in-terms-of-revenue-market-share/articleshow/65556052.cms|url-status=live}}</ref>