Bharti Airtel's Vittal Highlights Regulatory Lag in Tech, Sees Room for Price Adjustments

Bharti Airtel 's Managing Director, Gopal Vittal, recently addressed key challenges in the telecom industry at the India Mobile Congress, emphasizing the need for regulatory adaptation and potential pricing adjustments in the Indian market.

Regulatory Challenges in a Rapidly Evolving Tech Landscape

Vittal pointed out a significant disconnect between the pace of technological advancements and regulatory frameworks. He noted that while regulators heavily focus on the telecom sector, it represents only a fraction of the trust and security challenges in the broader digital ecosystem. This observation underscores the need for a more comprehensive regulatory approach that encompasses the entire digital landscape.

India's Unique Market Dynamics

The Bharti Airtel MD shed light on the complexities of operating in the Indian telecom market:

Aspect	Description
Customer Demands	High expectations from Indian consumers
ARPU (Average Revenue Per User)	Low compared to global standards
Data Rates	Lowest rate per gigabyte globally
Profitability	Challenge to maintain profitability despite low rates

These factors collectively contribute to making India a challenging market for telecom operators.

Potential for Price Adjustments

Despite the challenging environment, Vittal sees room for pricing adjustments in the Indian telecom sector. This suggestion comes as a potential strategy to address the low ARPU and profitability challenges faced by operators in the market.

Strategic Recommendations

Vittal urged telecom players to focus on two key areas:

Improving operational efficiency
Exploring new revenue streams

These strategies could help telecom companies navigate the complex Indian market while maintaining profitability.

Regulatory Compliance

It's worth noting that Bharti Airtel continues to maintain its regulatory compliance. As per the latest LODR (Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements) data, the company has submitted the required certificate under Regulation 74(5) of the SEBI (Depositories and Participants) Regulations, 2018, for the period from July 1, 2025, to September 30, 2025. This demonstrates Airtel's commitment to transparency and adherence to regulatory standards.

In conclusion, Gopal Vittal's insights highlight the intricate balance telecom operators must maintain between technological advancements, regulatory compliance, and market realities in India. As the industry continues to evolve, it will be crucial for both regulators and telecom companies to adapt swiftly to ensure a robust and competitive digital ecosystem.

1 Day	5 Days	1 Month	6 Months	1 Year	5 Years
-0.14%	+1.68%	+9.85%	+10.67%	+27.95%	+359.59%

Bharti Airtel , one of India's leading telecommunications companies, has clinched a significant multi-year contract with the Indian Railway Security Operations Centre (IRSOC) to provide comprehensive cybersecurity services. This strategic partnership aims to fortify the digital infrastructure of India's extensive railway network, ensuring robust protection for millions of daily commuters and the country's critical transportation system. Additionally, the company reported adding 496,087 mobile subscribers during August, indicating growth in its customer base.

Key Highlights of the Contract

Scope: Airtel Business will design, build, implement, and operate a greenfield, multi-layered cybersecurity ecosystem for the Indian Railways.
Operational Coverage: The system will provide 24/7/365 protection, serving as a resilient defense barrier for the railways' IT backbone.
Beneficiaries: Over 1 billion Indians will benefit from enhanced data security for various railway services.

Comprehensive Security Solutions

Airtel's cybersecurity services for the Indian Railways will include:

Security Feature	Description
Unified Compliance	Centralized visibility and real-time monitoring across 26+ locations
Advanced Endpoint Protection	AI-driven Endpoint Detection and Response for continuous monitoring
Patch & Vulnerability Management	Real-time monitoring of 190,000+ critical infrastructure assets/devices
Next-gen Monitoring	AI-driven systems with industry-leading mean-time-to-detect of <20 seconds
Threat Intelligence	Proactive monitoring of dark web and potential risks
Network & Access Controls	Secure mission-critical applications with firewalls, routers, MPLS networks

Impact on Railway Operations

The implementation of this advanced cybersecurity system is expected to significantly enhance the safety and efficiency of India's railway services:

Safeguard sensitive customer data, including identities and payment details
Protect critical operational databases for ticketing, train tracking, and signaling
Secure digital transactions for millions of daily users
Ensure uninterrupted and seamless digital operations across the railway network

Executive Insights

Sharat Sinha, CEO & Director of Airtel Business, emphasized the critical role of advanced defense mechanisms in today's escalating cyber risk environment. He stated, "We are honoured to be chosen by IRSOC as their trusted partner to fortify the security of India's most complex and large-scale digital infrastructure with vast railway networks and databases."

Dilip Kumar, EDIP - Railway Board, highlighted the importance of cybersecurity in the increasingly digitized railway operations. He noted that the establishment of IRSOC would help in providing a centralized Security Operations Centre to continuously monitor IR assets and respond efficiently to cyber security threats.

This landmark contract underscores Bharti Airtel's growing prominence in the cybersecurity sector and its commitment to securing critical national infrastructure. As digital threats continue to evolve, partnerships like these between tech giants and government entities become crucial in safeguarding public services and maintaining the integrity of essential digital operations.

Subscriber Growth

In addition to its cybersecurity achievements, Bharti Airtel reported a significant increase in its mobile subscriber base. The company added 496,087 mobile subscribers during August, demonstrating its continued growth and strong position in the telecommunications market. This subscriber growth further solidifies Airtel's status as a leading player in India's telecom sector.