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As <keyword id="764355" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="5G" source="Orion">5G</keyword> roll-out picks up speed, the median download speeds across <keyword id="3658" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="india" source="Orion">India</keyword> increased by a massive 115 per cent since the launch of 5G on October 1 last year, a report showed on Wednesday. The median download speed increased from 13.87 <keyword id="134176" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="mbps" source="Orion">Mbps</keyword> in September to 29.85 Mbps in January 2023, according to <keyword id="2431974" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="ookla" source="Orion">Ookla</keyword>, the global leader in network intelligence and connectivity insights. As a result, India's position on the Speedtest Global Index improved by 49 places from 118th in September 2022 to 69th in January. The data shows improvement in LTE speeds for both <keyword id="2003276" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="jio" source="Orion">Jio</keyword> and Airtel since the launch of 5G services, as all their investments into network modernisation are paying off. "When 5G was first launched in October 2022, there was a wide disparity in the early 5G network performance users were experiencing on 5G-capable devices," the report noted. The median 5G download speeds then oscillated between 512.57 Mbps (Gujarat) and 19.23 Mbps (Uttar Pradesh West) as the 5G networks build out started. In fact, in nine telecom circles: Andhra Pradesh, Kolkata, North East, Haryana, Rajasthan, Bihar, Punjab, Kerala and Uttar Pradesh West, the median 5G download speed was below 100 Mbps because networks were very much at the testing stage. "Four months on, in January 2023, 5G median download speeds had greatly increased across all of the telecom circles a" exceeding 200 Mbps everywhere except <keyword id="6357972" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="jammu" source="Orion">Jammu</keyword> and Kashmir, with Kolkata clocking speeds over 500 Mbps," the report noted. Moreover, 5G investments made by the operators has also propelled an increase in 4G LTE speeds thanks to the modernization of the underlying infrastructure. For instance, median 5G download speed is 25 times that of 4G LTE (338.12 Mbps vs. 13.30 Mbps), and median 5G upload speed is 4.5 times 4G LTE (19.65 Mbps vs 3.55 Mbps). "This must be caveated by the fact that these are still early days for 5G in India, and 5G performance will most likely decrease once those networks are commercially available," said the report.

After 5G launch, India's mobile download speeds went up by 115% says Ookla

<ul><li><keyword id="382594" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="internet-access">Internet access</keyword> in <keyword id="17605" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Jammu-and-kashmir">Jammu and Kashmir</keyword> continues to be throttled at 2G speeds despite demands of better speeds in order to access education and healthcare services during the coronavirus lockdown. </li><li>Lawyers told Business Insider that the issue of internet access in India’s troubled state is not about the ‘right to freedom’, but about the ‘right to life’. </li><li>The argument that 4G speeds in Jammu and Kashmir would facilitate terrorism implies that access to faster internet can’t be restored until terrorism is completely eradicated. </li></ul>Access to 4G internet in Jammu and Kashmir was shot down by the Supreme Court on Monday. Instead, they passed on the responsibility of restoring fast-speed internet access onto a committee that will determine the balance between ‘national security’ and ‘human rights’. <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="75670549" title="India's Supreme Court won't allow 4G in Jammu and Kashmir⁠— despite petitioners' plea that it's essential for healthcare, education and business during the coronavirus lockdown" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div> Jammu and Kashmir had the face the longest internet shutdown in India’s history lasting 7 months — between 4 August 2019 to 4 March 2020 — after the <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/jammu-and-kashmir-and-ladakh-will-now-be-two-separate-union-territories/articleshow/70531866.cms">Article 370 of the Constitution was abrogated</a> by the Indian government. Internet services have since been restored in a phased manner, however only at 2G speeds. “While the Supreme Court’s judgment appears to be based on the principle that no ‘fundamental freedom’ is absolute, this is a case of ‘right to life’,” Padmaja Kaul, a partner at IndusLaw, told Business Insider. <div type="image" title="kashmir3_edited" msid="75708345" hostid="261" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Due to constant blockade of mobile phones and internet, landline or fixed line phones are of great demand. Many temporary landline phone booths have been set up in many parts of the valley especially in Srinagar city&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div> “It is unlikely that we have seen the last of this legal tussle and with each passing day, it seems more imperative that the Supreme Court will need to step in and play a greater role in safeguarding the fundamental rights of its citizens,” said Kaul. The coronavirus pandemic is only making things worse The petitioners argued that 2G internet services aren’t enough to fulfil the requirements that have now come up due to the coronavirus lockdown. Essential services — like education and medical consultation — now have to be conducted online, and slow internet speeds are subpar to meet those demands. <div type="image" title="kashmir6_edited" msid="75708450" hostid="261" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Around 985 Jammu and Kashmir students studying in various colleges across Karnataka were ferried in BMTC buses from Byappanhalli to Chikbanawara railway station&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div> “The issue, essentially, boils down to whether the denial of access to the most efficient, convenient and potentially cheap mode of accessing healthcare services or education — that is through the use of 4G internet — is violative of the constitution. This, during a pandemic, must be a resounding yes,” Kaul explained. The counter-argument presented was that there is no report of anyone dying of COVID-19 due to internet restrictions, which according to Kaul, is akin to an ostrich hiding its head under the ground. “The Supreme Court, in innumerable decisions, has held that the right to health is a part of the right to life and that there is a constitutional duty on the State to ensure timely healthcare services,” she said. <div type="image" title="kashmir4_edited" msid="75708371" hostid="261" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;User access social media after authorities lifted ban allowing the people of Jammu and Kashmir to access it on 2G mobile internet till March 17. This is the first time in seven months that access has been given to social media platforms after central government scraped Article 370 in August last year, which grants special status to Jammu and Kashmir.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div> Terrorism can’t be the justification to curtail access to internet The official narrative in court pushed on the fact that access to faster internet speeds could be the means to facilitate terrorism. Petitioners argued that there was “no rational relation” between the two. Senior Advocate Huzefa Ahmadi even pointed out that in most cases of terrorism in the state, they were conducted in areas where there was no internet access, to begin with. “The court has refused to take a view if faster internet can be restored in J&amp;K in view of pandemic and held on to its view that the national security considerations prevail over other fundamental rights in view of the security circumstances of J&amp;K,” said Siddharth Mahajan, a partner at Athena Legal. <div type="image" title="kashmir5_edited" msid="75708402" hostid="261" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Many Kashmiris residing in Bengaluru along with activists and volunteers gathered at Town Hall to protest against the shut down in Kashmir following scrapping of Article 370 and demanded that internet and mobile phne connections to be restored immediately in August 2019&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div> Data from the <a href="https://www.satp.org/datasheet-terrorist-attack/india/Jammu-and-Kashmir-fatalities-1998-2019">South Asia Terrorism Portal</a> shows that the incidence of terrorism was much higher before 2006 when the internet was slower and, even non-existent, in certain areas. “The logical extension of the government’s stand of curtailing 4G while terrorism is prevalent may lead to the absurd result that J&amp;K may never have access to 4G until and unless terrorism is completely eradicated from the valley,” added Kaul. The question of fundamental rights The Freedom on the Net <a href="https://freedomhouse.org/sites/default/files/2019-11/11042019_Report_FH_FOTN_2019_final_Public_Download.pdf">report</a> highlights that India is the second worst violator of internet user rights calling access to internet only ‘partly free’ in the country. “The nature of the fundamental rights in our Constitution is very interesting. Most rights — including the right to life and the freedom of speech, expression, etc. — are couched in negative terminology. That is, the state cannot deprive persons of such rights unless there are constitutionally permitted exceptions,” said Kaul. The opposition in court argued that there are aren’t any restriction on fixed-line connections, so eduction and healthcare services should not be hampered. However, most people in India access the internet using mobile phone — not laptops — which is cheaper. <div type="image" title="kashmir8_edited" msid="75708496" hostid="261" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;A paramilitary personnel stands on guard during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) lockdown crisis. Restrictions continued on movement of people to curb the spread of coronavirus in Kashmir valley&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div> Denying access to the fast-speed internet in Jammu and Kashmir is ironic because the court itself has faced connectivity issues, even though it operates on fixed-line broadband. The internet restrictions in the state have been enacted under the Temporary Suspension of Telecom Services (Public Emergency or Public Safety) Rules, 2017. “The said rules allow the government to regulate the temporary suspension of telecom services due to public emergency or public safety,” Kaul explained. However, the provision is meant to be for “temporary suspension” — not nearly a year. “The issue that needs to be highlighted is the proportionality in restricting access for such a prolonged period,” said Kaul. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/indias-supreme-court-wont-allow-4g-internet-in-jammu-and-kashmir/articleshow/75670549.cms">India's Supreme Court won't allow 4G in Jammu and Kashmir⁠— despite petitioners' plea that it's essential for healthcare, education and business during the coronavirus lockdown</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/news/experts-explain-the-legal-and-moral-pitfalls-in-aarogya-setu-app-despite-the-governments-insistence-that-a-protocol-has-been-put-in-place/articleshow/75690239.cms">Experts explain the legal and moral pitfalls in Aarogya Setu app ⁠— despite the government’s insistence that a protocol has been put in place</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/india-will-see-multiple-waves-of-covid-19-infections-every-few-months-but-thats-not-a-reason-to-panic/articleshow/75707889.cms">India will see multiple waves of COVID-19 infections every few months — but that's not a reason to panic</a>

Internet access in Jammu and Kashmir isn’t about the ‘right to freedom’ — it’s about the ‘right to life’, according to lawyers

<keyword id="6354504" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="reliance-jio" source="Orion">Reliance Jio</keyword> on Tuesday said that its True 5G services have gone live in 406 cities, thus becoming the first and only telecom operator to reach such a wide network in a short span of time. The company announced the launch of its True 5G services in 41 new cities in 16 states/union territories - Adoni, Badvel, Chilakaluripet, Gudivada, Kadiri, Narsapur, Rayachoti, Srikalahasti, Tadepalligudem (Andhra Pradesh), Margao (Goa), Fatehabad, Gohana, Hansi, Narnaul, Palwal (Haryana), Paonta Sahib (Himachal Pradesh), Rajouri (Jammu &amp; Kashmir) Dumka (Jharkhand), Robertsonpet (Karnataka). Other cities include - Kanhangad, Nedumangad, <keyword id="870168" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="taliparamba" source="Orion">Taliparamba</keyword>, Thalassery, Thiruvalla (Kerala), Betul, Dewas, Vidisha (Madhya Pradesh) Bhandara, Wardha (Maharashtra), Lunglei (Mizoram), Byasanagar, Rayagada (Odisha), Hoshiarpur (Punjab), Tonk (Rajasthan), Karaikudi, Krishnagiri, Ranipet, Theni Allinagaram, Udhagamandalam, <keyword id="595772" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="vaniyambadi" source="Orion">Vaniyambadi</keyword> (<keyword id="20154" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="tamil-nadu" source="Orion">Tamil Nadu</keyword>) and Kumarghat (Tripura). "<keyword id="2003276" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="jio" source="Orion">Jio</keyword> is expanding its True-5G reach at a rapid pace and has already rolled out a large portion of the planned True-5G network in this country. Covering majority of the nation is a matter of immense pride for us," a company spokesperson said. Starting Tuesday, Jio users in these 41 cities will be invited to try the Jio Welcome Offer, to experience unlimited data at up to 1 Gbps+ speeds, at no additional cost. Meanwhile, the Chairman of Reliance Jio Infocomm Ltd, Akash Ambani, has said that Reliance Jio is on the path to achieving the declared goal to increase the Jio 5G footprint to cover every town, taluka and tehsil across the country by December this year. SEE ALSO: <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/news/youtube-premium-price-plans-benefits/articleshow/98862188.cms">Ad-free videos to background play, here’s everything you get with YouTube Premium</a> <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/finance/news/brent-crude-oil-prices-remain-under-pressure-on-tensions-that-risks-in-global-banking-sector-may-spark-a-recession-worldwide/articleshow/98862335.cms">Brent crude oil prices remain under pressure on tensions that risks in global banking sector may spark a recession worldwide</a>

Reliance Jio's True 5G now available in over 406 cities

<ul><li>Day 1 of 5G spectrum auctions has already surpassed analyst estimates even as telcos and <keyword id="76451" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="adani" source="Orion">Adani</keyword> remained less aggressive.</li><li>Despite the good demand, analysts say the competition was low and bids were at reserve prices.</li><li>Here’s the 5G spectrum auctions picture after the first day of bidding.</li></ul>The much anticipated <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/telecom/news/why-the-govt-should-not-expect-a-bumper-harvest-from-5g-spectrum-auctions/articleshow/92679454.cms">5G spectrum auctions</a> in India have commenced, with <keyword id="2003276" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="jio" source="Orion">Jio</keyword>, <keyword id="15491" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="airtel" source="Orion">Airtel</keyword> and Vodafone Idea, along with India’s richest man <keyword id="111343" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="gautam-adani" source="Orion">Gautam Adani</keyword> – having submitted bids worth ₹1.45 lakh crore already, more than twice of what analysts expected. However, analysts suggest that the bids were less aggressive despite the good demand, and quotes were made at reserve prices – <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/telecom/news/why-the-govt-should-not-expect-a-bumper-harvest-from-5g-spectrum-auctions/articleshow/92679454.cms">along expected lines</a>. According to reports, the three telcos and Gautam Adani have placed bids for spectrum in bands which support different specs like large coverage, high-speed and low-latency. <div type="image" title="5G spectrum auction Day 1 bids." msid="93157453" hostid="261" sizebytes="14796" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;5G spectrum auction Day 1 bids&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div> “After round 4 yesterday, bids have been placed for 40% of the spectrum available which is in line with the expectations. Apart from the mid band (3300 Mhz) and the mm wave (26Ghz) required for 5G roll-out, the 700 Mhz has been sought after to catapult the rural broadband penetration in the country,” said Peeyush Vaish, Partner and Telecom Sector Leader, Deloitte India. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Here’s what Jio, Airtel, Vi and Adani are bidding for" comment="subhead" text="Here’s what Jio, Airtel, Vi and Adani are bidding for">Here’s what Jio, Airtel, Vi and Adani are bidding for</cmsannotation> While <keyword id="3820" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="mukesh-ambani" source="Orion">Mukesh Ambani</keyword>’s Jio and Sunil Mittal’s Airtel have bid for spectrum spread across a wide range of bands, Vodafone Idea’s bids were limited to specific bands like 3300MHz and 26GHz, apart from a few other bands. Adani Data Networks, on the other hand, seems to have focused its bids primarily in the 26GHz band and in select circles where its ports and other businesses are present. Unsurprisingly, Adani bid the most in the Gujarat circle where its Mundra port is located. This suggests that for now, Adani is focusing on spectrum for its business needs. <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="92382529" title="5G in India – does the aam aadmi even need it?" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div> According to Morgan Stanley, there was no demand yet in the 600MHz and 800MHz bands. The 900MHz band (where Bharti Airtel and Vodafone Idea have a footprint) showed demand in two out of 21 circles (Assam and Jammu &amp; Kashmir), with 12% of total available spectrum being won. The investment bank said that unlike the previous two auctions (2016, 2021), where no interest was seen in the 700MHz band, this round of spectrum auctions saw demand across 22 circles with 40% of the total available spectrum being won. In the earlier round, telcos did not bid for spectrum in the 700MHz as the reserve price was very high – but Jio’s strategy this time around is to solve its network quality concerns, which explains why it has bid for the 700MHz band. According to Nomura, this will help Jio in offering better quality services, especially indoor network coverage. This could go against its rivals Airtel and Vodafone Idea, who have instead opted for the less expensive 900MHz, 1800MHz and 2100MHz bands. Earlier, a report by IIFL Securities had estimated the total spectrum bids to amount to ₹71,000 crore, but with ₹1,45,000 crore already in its bag and the Day 2 of auctions underway, the government’s 5G spectrum bounty will only get bigger. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/finance/banks/news/rbi-governors-recipe-for-banks-of-the-future-oodles-of-social-media-new-tech-a-dash-of-human-touch/articleshow/93138812.cms">RBI governor’s recipe for banks of the future: Oodles of social media, new tech &amp; a dash of human touch</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/telecom/news/reliance-jio-posts-a-moderate-5-increase-in-profits-in-q1-fy23-adds-10-million-new-subscribers/articleshow/93058640.cms">Reliance Jio posts a moderate 5% increase in profits in Q1 FY23, adds 10 million new subscribers</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/telecom/news/after-energy-media-and-consumer-goods-its-adani-vs-ambani-in-telecom/articleshow/92772403.cms">After energy, media and consumer goods, it's Adani vs Ambani in telecom</a>

5G spectrum auctions: Big money is in but no bidding war yet

A contract worth up to $500 million for 4G deployment and expansion has been given to <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=Nokia+&amp;sortorder=effectivedate">Nokia </a>by <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=Vodafone&amp;sortorder=effectivedate">Vodafone</a>. The contract covers 10 of the country's 22 telecom zones. 
 As per several reports, <keyword id="6354716" type="CITY" weightage="100" keywordseo="Nokia">Nokia</keyword> will be deploying and expanding 4G LTE network for <keyword id="6354923" type="COMPANY" weightage="100" keywordseo="Vodafone-India">Vodafone India</keyword> in <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=Kolkata&amp;sortorder=effectivedate">Kolkata</a>, <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=Mumbai&amp;sortorder=effectivedate">Mumbai</a>, <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=Gujarat&amp;sortorder=effectivedate">Gujarat</a>, <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=Tamil+Nadu&amp;sortorder=effectivedate">Tamil </a><a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=Tamil+Nadu&amp;sortorder=effectivedate">Nadu</a>-<a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=Chennai&amp;sortorder=effectivedate">Chennai</a>, <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=Haryana&amp;sortorder=effectivedate">Haryana</a>, <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=UP+East&amp;sortorder=effectivedate">UP east </a>,<a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=West+Bengal&amp;sortorder=effectivedate">West Bengal</a>, <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=Punjab&amp;sortorder=effectivedate">Punjab</a>, <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=Himachal+Pradesh&amp;sortorder=effectivedate">Himachal Pradesh</a> and <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=Jammu+%26+Kashmir&amp;sortorder=effectivedate">Jammu &amp; Kashmir</a>. 
 Reportedly, the 4G base stations and other equipments for <keyword id="15492" type="CITY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Vodafone">Vodafone</keyword>’s network Karnataka, Kerala and Delhi circles are supplied by the Chinese equipment vendor <keyword id="6357456" type="CITY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Huawei">Huawei</keyword>. 
 “This move by Vodafone is to counter the threat from bigger rival <keyword id="6354287" type="CITY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Bharti-Airtel">Bharti Airtel</keyword> and <keyword id="6354504" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="Reliance-Jio">Reliance Jio</keyword>, the new 4G player which is currently offering free services,” industry watchers told ET. 
 
Recently, in last year's airwaves auctions, Vodafone India acquired multi-band 4G-capable spectrum across 1800, 2100 and 2500 MHz bands in all its key telecom circles for about Rs 20,280 crore. Vodafone India has already launched 4G services in 17 circles as had planned, and is now rapidly expanding 4G footprint within these circles. 
 Nokia has had a successful run so far in the country's 4G market, having already pocketed a 4G deployment and expansion contract worth $500 million from Bharti <keyword id="15491" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Airtel">Airtel</keyword>.

Vodafone India steps up its game, gives 4G expansion contract worth Rs 3650 crore to Nokia

New Delhi, Apr 24 () Over 40 global rights groups, part of a campaign #KeepItOn, on Friday demanded the restoration of 4G services in Jammu and Kashmir, saying the absence of high-speed internet is hampering works of doctors, journalists and others amid the COVID-19 lockdown. In an open letter signed by organisations like Access Now, Committee to Protect Journalists, Internet without borders, Human Rights Watch said that the absence of 4G internet has particularly hindered the work of health professionals who are on the front-lines combating this global pandemic. "Doctors in Jammu and Kashmir are struggling to access important information, often waiting hours to download and access information such as guidelines for intensive care management of the virus and best practices recommended by the WHO. The restriction of high-speed internet access has also impeded the work of human rights defenders, journalists and other actors working in the region," the letter said. The coalition these groups which opposes internet shutdown in any part of the world said that the access to information and the free-flow of communications, including for the media, is more crucial than ever in the wake of the COVID-19 outbreak, which continues to claim thousands of lives globally, especially given the novelty of the virus and lack of a vaccine. It said that the people are relying on the internet and digital communication platforms to access life-saving information provided by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and other public health experts. "Access to accurate information is indispensable in tackling the spread of COVID-19 and it must, therefore, be the priority of every government. The internet is also playing a crucial role during the pandemic in allowing people to carry out important activities while they avoid public spaces since gathering facilitates the spread of the virus," it said. The total number of cases in Jammu and Kashmir has risen to 454. While 57 ases are from the Jammu division, 397 are from the Kashmir division, according to officials. There are 340 active COVID-19 cases in Jammu and Kashmir. A total of 109 patients have recovered and five have died due to coronavirus, they added. The government in March had restored 2G mobile services in Jammu and Kashmir. However, 4G serivces are yet to be restored., "Access to the internet is also essential for human rights defenders, activists, and journalists to carry out their work of bringing important information to the doorsteps of the people," the letter said. According to the coalition, there have been 213 shutdowns globally in 2019 and the number of countries imposing shutdown increased to 33 in 2019 from 25 in 2018. India topped the list of countries with 121 internet shutdowns. It was followed by Venezuela with 12 internet shudowns, 11 in Yemen, 8 in Iraq, 6 in Algeria and 4 in Ethiopia. The #KeepItOn campaign is being run by rights groups to fight internet shutdowns globally. PRS MKJ

Lockdown: Global rights groups demand restoration of 4G services in J&K

The country is all set to witness the clash of telecom titans later this year as 4 tycoons in the ambit, Bharti Airtel, Vodafone, Idea Cellular and Reliance Jio are launching 4G services in India. To add some flavour to this discussed story, Bharti Airtel has recently had initial talks to buy Aircel's 4G airwaves in the 2300 Mhz band. 
 
 
While both Airtel and Aircel denied any discussions people familiar with the matter said the talks involved Airtel buying Aircel's 4G bandwidth through the spectrum 
 
"Some discussions have happened between very senior management of both the companies," one of the people told ET. "But lots of things need to be sorted out like the valuations, but importantly, the deal may fall foul of the spectrum cap rules in two circles - Odisha and Andhra Pradesh. 
 
 
The comes as the country's top GSM telcos Airtel, Vodafone India and Idea Cellular brace for a bitter battle for higher-paying data subscribers with Jio, which is set to launch 4G services in December. 
 
Airtel currently holds a mix of 1800 Mhz and 2300 Mhz airwaves on which it deploys 4G technology across 15 of India's 22 circles. Aircel's airwaves in eight circles would give the Sunil Mittal-headed telco a 4G footprint across 18 circles, nearly on a par with Mukesh Ambani-owned Jio, the only operator to hold 4G airwaves across all 22 circles. 
 
For Aircel, which has rolled out selected services in six of its eight 4G circles and is reeling under a debt of over Rs20,000 crore while being embroiled in the 2G scam, any deal will help generate funds to pare debt. 
 
 
Moreover, Aircel doesn't want to get caught in the 4G fight between heavyweight GSM telcos such as Airtel, Vodafone India and Idea Cellular and a Jio-Reliance. 
 
Aircel had paid Rs 3,438 crore to win 4G airwaves in the 2300 Mhz band in the 2010 spectrum auctions in eight of the 22 circles. However, five years later, the company has launched its services in six circles of Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Odisha, Assam and Jammu &amp; Kashmir, but only for enterprise customers. It is yet to launch any services in the North East and West Bengal. It recently announced expansion of its network by adding 13,000 2G, 3G and 4G sites across the country by December.

​More strategies in the 4G Clash of Titans: Airtel may buy Aircel 4G

Come December, Ambani brothers would be operating their telecom businesses together. They have already intimidated the telecom department (DoT) about their intention to share airwaves and offer 4G services in 10 key markets. 
 
Mumbai, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, UP-East, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Odisha, Assam, Northeast and Jammu &amp; Kashmir would experience the historical CDMA band of 800-850 MHz. This would collectively make up more than 35% of overall pan-India telecom revenues for the Anil Ambani-owned RCom and Mukesh -owned Reliance Jio, as informed in the news report by The Economic Times. 
 
The spectrum sharing and trading pacts signal the increasing cooperation in the telecom space between the two brothers. With such pacts, and with a complete passive infrastructure sharing pact in the bag, which involves sharing towers and optic fibre, RCom and Jio are operating as all but one company. 
 
"This overall strategic cooperation and partnership between Reliance Jio and Reliance Communications is a virtual consolidation in the telecom sector," Anil Ambani had recently said at his company's most recent annual meeting. 
 
The cooperation would entail maintenance and servicing of infrastructure, common network operating centres, data centres, content and retail outlets, people familiar with the plans said. 
 
The architects of the Jio telecom plans majorly overlap with founding team of Reliance Communications, which was started under the patriarch Dhirubhai Ambani. Subsequently, during the split of the RIL empire in 2006, many members of the founding team joined Mukesh Ambani, who had signed a non-compete agreement in the businesses he ceded to his younger brother. The non-compete agreement was revoked in 2010, the year when Reliance Industries re-entered the telecom space. 
 
The pacts now done, one important piece in the plan is RCom's talks to merge Sistema Shyam Teleservices, which is a pureplay CDMA operator, with itself, discussions for which are at an advanced stage and could even close in a couple of months, the ET report said. 
Sistema, with its 10 million subscribers across nine service areas, has airwaves in the 800MHz band, which are considered ideal for 4G services. The bandwidth that RCom is using for its CDMA and ones that Jio has bought in the 800MHz band are largely continuous. This means, the ET says, the RCom must free as much of that for the two companies to have a better 4G rollout. 
 
RCom has 3G (2100 MHz) airwaves in 13 circles, 800 MHz in 19 and 1800 MHz (traditionally used for 2G) in all 22 circles. 
 
For the entire combination to work involves more careful stitching up of networks. A person said this has translated into Jio focussing on fewer number of cities for its initial launch likely in December. The company had earlier intended to start in 200 cities, but is now focusing on around 50. 
 
RCom has already applied with DoT to liberalise its old 800 MHz spectrum holdings in eight of the 10 circles that they will share with Jio, which will cost nearly.'2,000 crore. It already has liberalised 800 MHz airwaves in Assam and Northeast. It will shortly apply for liberalising its balance old 800 MHz spectrum holdings in the remaining 12 circles.

4G brings Ambani brothers together

<a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=Bharti+Airtel&amp;sortorder=effectivedate">Bharti Airtel</a> is in advanced talks with <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=Aircel&amp;sortorder=effectivedate">Aircel</a> to acquire its <keyword id="938679" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="80" keywordseo="4G-airwaves">4G airwaves</keyword> in eight circles for a hefty Rs. 3500 Crores in a bandwidth trading deal. 
 Once Airtel buys <keyword id="6360249" type="COMPANY" weightage="100" keywordseo="Aircel">Aircel</keyword>'s spectrum, the telco would become a pan-India 4G operator, just like Ambani-owned Reliance Jio Infocomm. 
 
"<a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=Bharti+Airtel&amp;sortorder=effectivedate">Bharti Airtel</a> and its subsidiary, Bharti Hexacom have entered into a definitive agreements with <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=Aircel&amp;sortorder=effectivedate">Aircel Ltd</a> and its subsidiaries Dishnet Wireless Ltd and <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=Aircel&amp;sortorder=effectivedate">Aircel Cellular Ltd</a> to acquire rights to use 20 MHz of 2300 Band 4G spectrum for eight circles for an aggregate consideration of Rs 3500 crore," the company said in a statement. 
 
The eight circles are Tamil Nadu (including Chennai), Bihar, Jammu &amp; Kashmir, West Bengal, Assam, North East, Andhra Pradesh and Orissa. 
 
Aircel's <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=4G+airwaves&amp;sortorder=effectivedate">4G airwaves</a> in the 2300 Mhz band are valid till September 20, 2030. 
 
Image credit: Indiatimes

Airtel
to buy Aircel's 4G airwaves in 8 circles for a whopping Rs 3,500 Crores

<a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=Reliance+Communications">Reliance Communications</a>, Sistema Shyam Teleservices and Aircel together is not only likely to have a 3G footprint that is bigger than those of <keyword id="15492" type="CITY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Vodafone">Vodafone</keyword> and <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=Idea+Cellular">Idea Cellular</a>, analysts say, but is also expected to have 4G presence in eight circles. 
 
This comes after Anil Ambani-controlled RCom and Aircel on Tuesday announced exclusive 90-day merger talks to combine their wireless businesses under a newly listed Rs 35,000 crore entity, barely a month after RCom, India's fourth-largest carrier, and the Indian unit of Russia's Sistema JSFC announced an all-stock merger. 
 
Brokerage IDFC however pointed out one problem in the setup. It said the combined wireless operations of "RCom, Sistema Shyam and <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=Aircel+">Aircel </a>would have a formidable 12 per cent revenue market share, but the debt burden of both RCom (Rs 39,900 crore) and Aircel (Rs 20k-to-24k crore range) could be a possible deal breaker." 
 Meanwhile, in a note to clients, <keyword id="6361649" type="CITY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Goldman-Sachs">Goldman Sachs</keyword> said on Wednesday: "A combined entity could offer 3G services in 18 circles, launch <keyword id="6493730" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="4G-services">4G services</keyword> on the 2300 MHz band in eight circles and hold 2G spectrum in 22 circles." 
 
The US brokerage noted that the potential combine would "breach overall spectrum caps in Tamil Nadu, West Bengal and Jammu &amp; Kashmir. Operators are not allowed to hold more than 25% of the total spectrum in a circle. People familiar with the matter said the new entity may surrender excess airwaves.” 
 
(Image credits: BCCL)

RCom, Aircel, SSTL merger likely to create strong number 4 after Airtel,Vodafone, Idea

Soon after Bharti Airtel introduced 4G and took the country by storm, another telco Aircel is all set to roll out its 4G LTE services by the end this year. Also joining the race would be Reliance Jio, Vodafone and Idea Cellular, who have slated the 4G introduction this year itself. 
 
Having officially announced their 4G roll-out plans, Sameer Dave, Chief Technology Officer of Aircel said, "Enterprise is a key focus for us. We have a large customer base in enterprise, which is growing pretty strong. Their expectations are consistent quality, high uptime and high throughput, which we are able to provide wherever we have 4G licences.” 
 
Aircel will be commercially launching 4G services in six of the eight circles for enterprise customers. The Chennai based firm holds 20 MHz in 2300 MHz (4G) band across Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Bengal, Bihar, Odisha, Assam, the North East and Jammu &amp; Kashmir. 
 
In the remaining two circles, Dave said, Aircel has a minimum rollout obligation with the telecom department with which it complies and will be rolled out soon.

After Airtel, Aircel joins the 4G bandwagon

China is helping Pakistan to boost its firepower by selling it state-of-the-art defence items, including <keyword id="627045" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="armed-drones">armed drones</keyword>, even as it is engaged with India at the borders in eastern Ladakh. Intelligence sources said Pakistan is procuring medium-altitude long-endurance unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) -- Cai Hong-4 (CH-4) -- from China in bulk. Sources said that a 10-member team of Pakistan Army led by Brigadier Mohammad Zafar Iqbal has visited China to review the procurement process. "The Pakistan Army team went to China for factory acceptance test for items procured from Aerospace Long-March International Trade Company (ALIT), China. Then was led by Brigadier Mohammad Zafar Iqbal," a source said. It was also revealed that Iqbal has earlier visited China in December 2019 for the factory acceptance test of the first tranche of Cai Hong-4 for which delivery was to commence in 2020. The CH-4 has a take-off mass between 1,200-1,300 kgs depending on the variant. It can also carry a wide range of payloads. The UAV is now in service with military forces including the Iraqi Army and the Royal Jordanian Air Force. Sources also stated that ALIT has offered Pakistan command and control options, including direct line-of-sight and satellite communications. Pakistan has planned to deploy these UAVs at the Line of Control in Jammu &amp; Kashmir to create further unrest in India. "China is helping Pakistan to do so," said the source. India and China are locked in an over three-month-long stand-off at multiple points, hitherto unprecedented along the border. China had changed the status quo on the Line of Actual Control at various places, moving inside Indian territory. India has objected to it and is taking up the matter with China at all levels. The troop disengagement happened only at patrolling point-14 in Galwan Valley, the site of the June 15 clashes, and patrolling point-15 in Hot Springs. On June 15, as many as 20 Indian soldiers and an unknown number of Chinese troops were killed in a violent clash in the Galwan Valley. Both the countries have engaged in military and diplomatic talks however nothing has materialized so far. The dispute remains unresolved and both the countries have started deploying troops and materiel at the disputed points. India has directed its armed forces to prepare for a long haul as the Chinese People's Liberation Army troops are not moving back from the disputed points. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/corporates/news/tech-mahindra-hcl-tech-wipro-and-likes-are-hoping-global-5g-race-resumes-next-year-bringing-some-large-deals-before-that/articleshow/77583638.cms">Tech Mahindra, HCL Tech, Wipro and likes are hoping global 5G race resumes next year⁠ — bringing some large deals before that</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/international/news/gaza-strips-only-power-plant-may-run-out-fuel-in-the-next-24-hours-following-israel-border-shut-warns-expert/articleshow/77584765.cms">Gaza Strip's only power plant may run out fuel in the next 24 hours following Israel border shut, warns expert</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/apps/news/the-heat-is-on-mark-zuckerberg-in-india-as-facebook-and-whatsapp-incur-the-ire-of-modis-rivals/articleshow/77575358.cms">The heat is on Mark Zuckerberg in India as Facebook and WhatsApp incur the ire of Modi's rivals</a>

Pakistan buys armed drones from China in bulk amid border tensions with India

<div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"><a href="http://www.apimages.com/metadata/Index/APTOPIX-Trump-United-States-India/c635706bb5144bec9386352d86f2a0ea/17/0">Susan Walsh/AP</a>President Donald Trump and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi hug in the White House Rose Garden on June 26, 2017.</div></div></div><ul class="summary-list"><li>The Indian government has repeatedly accused news outlets, including the BBC and Reuters, of reporting fake news about the <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/category/kashmir">ongoing Kashmir crisis</a>.</li><li>Among other stories, those outlets reported that Indian security forces had shot at civilians with pellet guns and tortured people for information.</li><li>Indian officials are widely believed to have intimidated newsrooms and academics into not publishing their critical work, and paid people to troll critics online for years.</li><li>Experts told Insider this climate of fear has ramped up since Prime Minister Narendra Modi came to power in 2014, and has also been encouraged by US President Donald Trump.</li><li>"Targeting the freedom of the press is a popular tactic used by authoritarian regimes to govern through fear," Angana Chatterji from the University of California, Berkeley, told Insider.</li><li>Insider reporters have received an uncommon number of inflammatory and abusive messages on Twitter and email accusing them of "fake news" and promoting "jihadi propaganda" after writing about Kashmir.</li><li><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories</a>.</li></ul>The Indian government is taking a page out of President Donald Trump's playbook by relentlessly accusing journalists of publishing false reports about <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/category/kashmir">the situation in Kashmir</a>, where millions of people have been cut off from the internet and the outside world for over five weeks.Indian authorities have imposed a state-wide internet and phone blackout in the disputed region of Kashmir since the beginning of August, which has seen ordinary people <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/kashmir-blackout-locals-dont-know-india-revoked-autonomy-report-2019-8">unable to access the news</a> or communicate with people outside the region.As of September 6, more than 3,800 people - including prominent local politicians - in the region have been arrested, <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-india-kashmir-detentions/thousands-detained-in-indian-kashmir-crackdown-official-data-reveals-idUSKCN1VX142">Reuters reported</a>.<div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image">ReutersMen with pellet injuries being treated in Srinagar, a major city in Jammu and Kashmir state, on August 14, 2019.</div></div></div>Security forces have <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/kashmir-man-blinded-pellets-police-insist-no-major-injuries-2019-8">shot at people with pellet guns</a> and <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/kashmir-villagers-allege-beatings-abuse-electric-shock-india-denies-2019-8">tortured people living in villages known to be hubs</a> of anti-India militancy by beating them with sticks, giving them electric shocks, and filling their mouths with mud, multiple journalists on the ground have reported.India's crackdown came after it <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/kashmir-india-revoke-article-370-quasi-independence-internet-tourists-2019-8">removed a constitutional provision</a> in early August which guaranteed the independence of the Jammu and Kashmir region to make its own laws, and prevented outsiders from buying property in the mostly-Muslim region.India has repeatedly shut down all of these reports, resorting to the widely-used refrain that the journalists were falsely reporting the news, even when there was video footage of the events transpiring. Here are a few instances:<ul><li>After the BBC <a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/49306816/article-370-tear-gas-at-kashmir-rally-india-denies-happened">shot video footage</a> of thousands of people in Srinagar, a major city in Kashmir, demonstrating against India on August 10, the Indian government denied the protest ever happened.</li><li>On August 10, Indian Ministry of Home Affairs spokeswoman Vasudha Gupta tweeted that a <a href="https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-india-kashmir/thousands-protest-in-indian-kashmir-over-new-status-despite-clampdown-idUKKCN1UZ0OV">Reuters report</a> that said Indian police used tear gas and pellets to disperse the Srinagar protests - based on the testimony of a police officer and two witnesses - was "<a href="https://twitter.com/PIBHomeAffairs/status/1160081078486368256">completely fabricated &amp; incorrect</a>."</li><li><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/kashmir-villagers-allege-beatings-abuse-electric-shock-india-denies-2019-8">The Indian army denied multiple allegations</a> of torture outlined in a <a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-india-49481180">BBC report from Kashmir</a> on August 29, calling them "baseless and unsubstantiated."</li><li><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/kashmir-man-blinded-pellets-police-insist-no-major-injuries-2019-8">Kashmiri police shot down a CNN report</a>, also published August 29, which <a href="https://edition.cnn.com/2019/08/28/asia/kashmir-survival-pellet-wounds-intl-hnk/index.html">cited a Srinagar resident</a> as saying he was blinded in one eye after being hit by three pellets, and a local hospital's eye unit as saying that it's treated at least 30 victims of pellet injuries that month. Police claimed that there had been "no major injuries to anybody," save for "a few pellet injuries, who were treated and sent back."</li></ul>Read more: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/kashmir-villagers-allege-beatings-abuse-electric-shock-india-denies-2019-8">Kashmiris say Indian officers tortured them and shoved mud in their mouths so they couldn't scream. The army denies it ever happened.</a><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image">Adnan Abidi/ReutersKashmiri protesters run for cover as Indian security forces fire teargas at them in Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir state, on August 23, 2019.</div></div></div><h2>India has been screaming 'fake news' for decades</h2>The Indian government resorting to fake-news accusations is nothing new - in fact, the government and its supporters have used this refrain for years. And it's only getting worse.In 2014, the Press Council of India - the government's <keyword id="6354777" type="COMPANY" weightage="60" keywordseo="Media">media</keyword> watchdog - denounced the reporting of mass rapes in 1991 by Indian security forces in the Kashmiri villages of Kunan and Poshpora as "<a href="https://www.hindustantimes.com/india/kunan-poshpora-rape-charges-baseless/story-e4EzYdSFmxnax6Kna0rogM.html">baseless</a>," even as multiple women came out with allegations.Earlier this year, the Indian government also <a href="https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/india-slams-un-rights-office-report-on-jk-as-continuation-of-false-narrative/articleshow/70127923.cms">slammed</a> an official UN report on Kashmir as a "false and motivated narrative" that violated the country's sovereignty. India has for decades maintained that only Pakistan and itself can be involved in Kashmir's issues.These denials are working in India, where the government under Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is growing increasingly authoritarian.<div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image">Reuters Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi in June 2019. </div></div></div><h2>India's climate of fear</h2>The Indian government is widely believed to employ an army of online trolls who attack journalists and critics online, as well as pressure people into reporting favorable coverage only.It has never openly admitted to this, but circumstantial evidence all but confirms it. The government spent more than 52 billion rupees ($728 million) on pro-BJP ads and social-media posts between 2014 and 2018, India's <a href="https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/govt-has-spent-over-rs-5200-cr-in-ads-since-2014-15-rathore-in-ls/articleshow/67077392.cms">Economic Times reported</a>.The BJP also hires hundreds of thousands of people to recruit voters via phone and door knocks, ultimately helping build "the most extraordinary personality cult in modern Indian history," Indian politician <a href="https://www.project-syndicate.org/commentary/narendra-modi-india-election-personality-cult-by-shashi-tharoor-2019-05">Shashi Tharoor said</a>."The government denies something on one level, and then its army of trolls and people in [civil] society follow," Hafsa Kanjwal, a South Asia and Kashmir expert and assistant professor at Lafayette College, told Insider."Basically if you question that, they say that you're being anti-national, or you're putting India at risk by questioning the state narrative, or that you're falling into Pakistan. They use these age-old tropes to bring people into line."Insider has received an uncommon number of inflammatory and abusive messages on Twitter and email accusing this reporter and another at Insider writing about Kashmir of publishing "jihadi propaganda" and "fake news," and of being paid to report critical news on the region. Insider is unable to confirm whether such messages are in any way directly linked with reports of state-sponsored trolls.Arvind Rajagopal, a media studies professor at New York University, also told Insider: "I've seen several thousand people being employed to post BJP-friendly messages online and make life difficult for their opponents."<div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image">Adnan Abidi/ReutersSmoke rises from teargas shells fired by Indian security forces in Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir state, on August 23, 2019.</div></div></div>Civil institutions like universities and newsrooms are intimidated into silence. Researchers have told of advisers not allowing them to say anything too critical of the government, and critical reports being censored."Basically the media are terrified now of saying anything the government doesn't want them to say because they get attacked not necessarily online, they get attacked behind the scenes," Rajagopal said. "They get telephone calls from the prime minister's office saying: 'What do you think you're doing?'"Those who do speak out are publicly smeared in an effort to intimidate them into silence.For example, Indian investigative journalist Rana Ayyub, wrote a <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Gujarat-Files-Anatomy-cover-up/dp/1533341524">book</a> about a state government cover-up concerning the 2002 Gujarati Riots, which left over 1,000 people dead.Ayyub <a href="https://medium.com/global-editors-network/rana-ayyub-on-online-harassment-in-india-i-get-daily-rape-death-threats-c970f542e554">described in an interview with the Global Editors Network</a> getting daily rape and death threats, being doxxed, and having her image superimposed on a viral porn video after her critical work was published.Kanjwal said: "The government finds a way to send a message across and let people know that if they push back against this narrative, then they'll make it very difficult for them."She and Rajagopal both said, in separate conversations with Insider, that they personally know Indian academics who have been smeared or intimidated into silence.<div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image">ReutersKashmiri residents throw stones at Indian security forces during protests.</div></div></div>The ongoing lockdown and communications blackout in Kashmir is also making it difficult for reporters to travel around the region and to file stories online.Ordinary citizens are also unable to access the news online. Shortly after the blackout many <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/kashmir-blackout-locals-dont-know-india-revoked-autonomy-report-2019-8">didn't even know that India rewrote its constitution</a>, Kashmiri journalist Fahad Shah <a href="https://time.com/5646005/inside-kashmir-communication-shutdown/">wrote in TIME</a> last month."Exerting harsh control over communications is being used to influence the public's impression and experience of governance," Angana Chatterji, the co-chair of University of California, Berkeley's Political Conflict, Gender and People's Rights Initiative, told Insider.<div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image">Greater KashmirThe local Greater Kashmir daily newspaper's front page as on September 16, 2019. The front page has been blank since early August.</div></div></div><h2>Trump is encouraging this 'textbook fascist' behavior</h2>Though this behavior has existed long before Trump and Modi, the US president's arrival on the world stage has encouraged it, experts say."There are so many similarities in general between an ideology like Trump's and Modi's, which is exclusivist, relies on fear of the other, which doesn't address real issues that people are going through but distract people," Kanjwal said."It's very textbook fascist."Other countries with strong-willed authoritarian leaders have also launched attacks on critical journalists and intellectuals who they see as threatening their hold on power:<ul><li>Under President Xi Jinping, Chinese officials have routinely clamped down on reporting on the <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/category/xinjiang">oppressed Uighur Muslim minority</a> by repeatedly <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/jul/05/fake-news-china-dismisses-reports-about-detention-of-uighurs">denying</a> reports of their forced incarceration and claiming that the detentions are "free vocational training."</li><li>Russia, under President Vladimir Putin, is <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/russia-fake-news-exporter-bans-putin-bill-2019-3">one of the world's premier sources of fake news</a>, and hosts campaigns that aim to spread misinformation around the world.</li><li>Pro-government newspapers in Turkey have <a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-46137139">published hundreds of false stories</a> and <a href="https://observers.france24.com/en/20160718-turkey-coup-attempt-fake-images">doctored photographs</a> about President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's opponents.</li><li>Critical media outlets in the Philippines, <a href="https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/3003752/philippines-arrests-rappler-co-founder-journalist-maria">such as Rappler</a>, have been hit with multiple criminal charges and arrests under President Rodrigo Duterte.</li></ul>"There is a growing authoritarianism within [these] countries that rely on similar strategies of suppressing dissent or trying to undermine these [civic] institutions," Kanjwal said.<div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image">Carlos Barria/Reuters; Leah Millis/Reuters; Jacquelyn Martin/APA composite image of Modi, Trump, and Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan.</div></div></div><h2>Will this ever end?</h2>Experts say these scare tactics are likely to continue in India, where the strategy of cowing critics into silence is working.Despite being one of the world's largest democracies, a large portion of ordinary Indians tow the party line because of the traditional lack of political discourse in the country, Rajagopal said."At some level it's about the latency of India's political democracy and the lack of a deep tradition of debate, arguments, and public disagreement," he said."There is a cultural aspect to this conformism, which is basically an unwillingness to publicly disagree and a willingness to bury your disagreement - which is really the response of an old colonized population."Chatterji added: "Targeting the freedom of the press is a popular tactic used by authoritarian regimes to govern through fear."In India, this is likely to continue, and perhaps even escalate, under a majoritarian government." <div class="margin-top"> <h3>NOW WATCH: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/reporter-luke-harding-explains-life-under-fsb-surveillance-2017-12">A reporter who lived in Russia for 4 years reveals what it was like being stalked by Russian spies</a></h3> <div> </div> </div>

India is replaying Trump's favorite strategy by accusing the media of fake news in Kashmir, where it cut off the internet and tried to silence journalists

You Searched For "4g network in jammu kashmir" and got 13 results

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India is replaying Trump's favorite strategy by accusing the media of fake news in Kashmir, where it cut off the internet and tried to silence journalists

Alexandra Ma

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You Searched For "4g network in jammu kashmir" and got 13 results

After 5G launch, India's mobile download speeds went up by 115% says Ookla

IANS

Internet access in Jammu and Kashmir isn’t about the ‘right to freedom’ — it’s about the ‘right to life’, according to lawyers

Prabhjote Gill

Reliance Jio's True 5G now available in over 406 cities

IANS

5G spectrum auctions: Big money is in but no bidding war yet

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Vodafone India steps up its game, gives 4G expansion contract worth Rs 3650 crore to Nokia

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BI India Bureau

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BI India Bureau

Airtel to buy Aircel's 4G airwaves in 8 circles for a whopping Rs 3,500 Crores

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RCom, Aircel, SSTL merger likely to create strong number 4 after Airtel,Vodafone, Idea

BI India Bureau

After Airtel, Aircel joins the 4G bandwagon

BI India Bureau

Pakistan buys armed drones from China in bulk amid border tensions with India

IANS

India is replaying Trump's favorite strategy by accusing the media of fake news in Kashmir, where it cut off the internet and tried to silence journalists

Alexandra Ma

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More strategies in the 4G Clash of Titans: Airtel may buy Aircel 4G