Bharti Airtel Limited has received a penalty notice of ₹6.99 lakh from the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) for alleged violations of subscriber verification norms. The telecom operator disclosed this regulatory action through a filing under Regulation 30 of SEBI Listing Regulations on December 30, 2025.

Penalty Details and Background

The penalty notice was issued by the Department of Telecommunications, Andhra Pradesh LSA, and received by the company on December 29, 2025. The action stems from DoT's periodic Customer Application Form (CAF) audit conducted for August 2025, which revealed alleged non-compliance with subscriber verification requirements.

Regulatory Compliance Requirements

Under the terms of its License Agreement, Bharti Airtel is required to ensure adequate verification of customers before enrolling them as subscribers and comply with instructions issued by DoT. The Department of Telecommunications conducts periodic CAF audits to confirm compliance with licensing terms and conditions related to subscriber verification norms.

The sample CAF audit for August 2025 allegedly found violations of terms and conditions with respect to subscriber verification norms under the License Agreement. However, the specific details of the violations were not elaborated in the disclosure.

Company's Response and Financial Impact

Bharti Airtel has decided not to contest the penalty and will proceed with payment of the imposed amount. The company has stated that the maximum financial impact is limited to the extent of the penalty levied, which amounts to ₹6.99 lakh.

Regulatory Disclosure

The disclosure was made pursuant to Regulation 30 read with Clause 20 of Para A of Part A of Schedule III of SEBI Listing Regulations. Joint Company Secretary & Compliance Officer Rohit Krishan Puri signed the regulatory filing, confirming that the information provided is true, correct, and complete to the best of the company's knowledge and belief.

This penalty represents a routine regulatory matter for the telecom operator, with the financial impact being minimal given the company's scale of operations. The company's decision to accept and pay the penalty indicates its approach to resolve regulatory matters expeditiously.

Bharti Airtel has officially announced the launch of 'Airtel Cartoon Network Classics', an exclusive ad-free entertainment channel developed in collaboration with Warner Bros. Discovery. The channel offers subscribers access to beloved animated series at a monthly subscription price of ₹59.00, available on Channel 445 across all Airtel set-top boxes.

Partnership and Channel Features

The collaboration with Warner Bros. Discovery brings together iconic animated franchises from Cartoon Network, creating a dedicated destination for timeless family entertainment. The channel features classic shows including Tom and Jerry, The Flintstones, Looney Tunes, Scooby Doo, and Johnny Bravo, curated for audiences seeking nostalgic content.

Management Commentary

Pushpinder Singh Gujral, DTH-Business Head at Airtel, commented on the launch: "Airtel Cartoon Network Classics adds a unique entertainment layer to our portfolio and offers customers a chance to reconnect with iconic stories and characters that are loved even today. We are pleased to make this channel available to all our DTH & IPTV users."

Arjun Nohwar, Managing Director, South Asia at Warner Bros. Discovery, stated: "Cartoon Network Classics celebrates the enduring legacy of characters and stories that have entertained audiences worldwide for generations. Through our collaboration with Airtel, we are pleased to bring these iconic favourites to Indian screens in a new and accessible format."

Service Accessibility

The ad-free channel is accessible across both connected set-top boxes such as Xstream and IPTV, as well as non-connected HD and SD boxes, enabling uninterrupted viewing without additional equipment requirements. Customers can activate the service through their set-top box, missed call, or the Airtel Thanks app.

Strategic Expansion

This launch represents Bharti Airtel's continued expansion of its entertainment portfolio, adding to its array of value-added services. The exclusive offering demonstrates the company's commitment to providing distinctive, family-friendly content while deepening engagement with viewers across all age groups.