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India okays 110 R&D projects focusing on 5G and 6G worth Rs304.70cr

Mohammed Fahad
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India okays 110 R&D projects focusing on 5G and 6G worth Rs304.70cr
  • Each of the R&D projects greenlit under the scheme has a development timeline ranging from one to five years.
  • Department of Telecommunications has been rolled out Financial Fraud Risk Indicator to curtail financial cybercrime.

India is ramping up efforts to drive research and innovation in telecom, with 110 projects focusing on 5G and 6G technologies collectively receiving approval under the Telecom Technology Development Fund (TTDF) scheme.

As of June 30, these projects represent a combined financial commitment of Rs304.70 crore, according to Minister of State for Communications and Rural Development, Dr. Pemmasani Chandra Sekhar.

Launched on October 1, 2022, the TTDF scheme was crafted to turbocharge research and development in homegrown telecom technologies. Its purpose? To encourage synergies between academic institutions, budding startups, MSMEs, research labs, and key industry players.

The collaborative approach aims to strengthen India’s telecom landscape by nurturing a pipeline of innovative products and solutions.

Spectrum of stakeholders

Each of the R&D projects greenlit under the scheme has a development timeline ranging from one to five years. As these initiatives are still at early stages, the TTDF is actively supporting a spectrum of stakeholders—government and private entities, small businesses, and new entrants alike—in their technological explorations of both 5G and the near-future 6G ecosystem.

On another critical front, the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has set its sights on curtailing financial cybercrime. A powerful new tool, the Financial Fraud Risk Indicator (FRI), has been rolled out.

FRI assesses the risk level associated with each mobile number—labeling them as Medium, High, or Very High risk for fraud.

This intelligence is delivered via the Digital Intelligence Platform (DIP), arming banks, NBFCs, and UPI service providers with actionable insights. The end goal? Enable quick intervention, extra checks, or even block suspicious transactions before fraudsters can strike.

Financial scams

Regulators aren’t leaving the integration of this risk rating system to chance. The Reserve Bank of India has advised banks and payment operators to plug FRI directly into their operations—allowing for real-time alerts, warnings, or even temporary stoppage of suspect transactions.

The DIP’s impact is already visible: 34 financial organisations have taken decisive actions, resulting in the freezing of over 10 lakh bank accounts and wallets, while more than three lakh accounts have been slapped with credit and debit restrictions.

Driving these safeguards is the Digital Intelligence Unit (DIU) project under the DoT, designed to protect consumers by cracking down on telecom-based cybercrimes and financial scams.

As the digital ecosystem in India grows, these multi-pronged efforts are laying a foundation for secure, world-class communications and trustworthy digital transactions.

ESPN acquires stake in NFL’s media assets

TCN Bureau
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ESPN acquires stake in NFL’s media assets
  • ESPN picks up licensing rights for three more NFL games annually to be shown on NFL Network.

Disney has taken another bold step in redefining its sports portfolio, as ESPN and the NFL have struck a preliminary deal that’s set to reshape how fans experience football.

The agreement, if finalised, would see ESPN acquire NFL media assets—including NFL Network, NFL RedZone, and NFL Fantasy—in exchange for a 10 per cent equity stake for the NFL in ESPN’s operations. Although both companies are keeping the precise dollar value of this stake close to the chest, the strategic implications for both parties are enormous.

The move sets the stage for an unprecedented era of collaboration. With Disney’s rapidly growing streaming infrastructure, NFL content is about to find a whole new level of visibility.

One of the key features of the plan is ESPN’s intent to weave NFL Network directly into its upcoming direct-to-consumer service, giving subscribers seamless access, while still preserving traditional outlets like cable and satellite for those who want them. For NFL fans, it means more ways to watch, right at their fingertips.

Cross-platform synergy

Jimmy Pitaro, chairman of ESPN, put it succinctly: this arrangement provides the “foundation for an even more robust offering” just as ESPN readies itself for the direct-to-consumer revolution.

The partnership is also about much more than streaming. A second, non-binding pact will give ESPN rights to make creative use of NFL content and intellectual property across its newly acquired NFL media assets—think cross-platform synergy, deeper integration between TV and digital, and expanded programming possibilities.

Mergers are also afoot in the world of fantasy sports. With this deal, ESPN takes the reins on distributing RedZone, and the once-separate NFL and ESPN fantasy leagues will unite, creating the league’s single official fantasy football destination.

Deeper bundling opportunities

The change promises to make managing and playing fantasy football more streamlined and engaging for millions of fans.

Moreover, ESPN picks up licensing rights for three more NFL games annually to be shown on NFL Network, while the network, in turn, will now broadcast four games from ESPN’s NFL slate, keeping its yearly tally at seven NFL matchups.

The shifting of games reflects the broader industry trend toward flexible, blended programming designed to meet fans where they are—whether on TV or with a streaming subscription.

Industry watchers are pointing to this landmark partnership as a catalyst for deeper bundling opportunities with Disney+ and Hulu, boosting platform stickiness as the streaming landscape gets increasingly competitive. The vision: offer more sports, more flexibility, and fewer reasons for subscribers to jump ship.

These major moves come as Disney continues to pivot from traditional television. In June, the company trimmed its global workforce, targeting specific departments rather than erasing entire divisions—part of a determined, ongoing effort to rein in costs amidst the changing pay-TV landscape.

The numbers tell a clear story: in its most recent results, Disney reported a 13 per cent decrease in linear network revenue, contrasted by an 8 per cent growth in direct-to-consumer income, underscoring the company’s digital-first trajectory. Since last year, more than 8,000 positions have been cut as Disney pursues its $7.5 billion cost-savings target.

For analysts, the NFL’s equity stake in ESPN reflects a stronger alignment of interests, where the league will be even more invested in ESPN’s success as sports broadcasting continues to evolve.  

OpenAI eyes $500b valuation as employee stock sale looms

Ana Mary Joseph
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OpenAI eyes $500b valuation as employee stock sale looms
  • Should the secondary sale move forward, OpenAI would solidify its position as one of the globe’s most valuable private companies.

OpenAI is reportedly in the early phases of negotiating a significant stock sale for current and former employees, which could value the AI innovator at a staggering $500 billion.

The prospective valuation marks a dramatic increase from the company’s previous $300 billion figure seen during an earlier financing round steered by SoftBank Group Corp.

Sources familiar with the ongoing discussions suggest that billions of dollars’ worth of shares could soon change hands, as leading existing investors—such as Thrive Capital—have approached OpenAI about purchasing additional equity from employees.

Should the secondary sale move forward, OpenAI would solidify its position as one of the globe’s most valuable private companies, underscoring investor excitement about generative AI’s transformative potential.

Secondary offerings such as these are often orchestrated by successful startups to reward and retain employees, while also giving outside investors’ access to sought-after company shares.

The news follows closely on the heels of OpenAI securing $8.3 billion from a syndicate of investors in the second phase of that $40 billion financing, with demand outstripping available shares by roughly fivefold. The fundraising surpassed schedule, further spotlighting OpenAI’s surging market appeal.

Incentivising team members

The move to open a secondary sale also arrives at a pivotal time for OpenAI’s workforce. Over recent months, the company has lost several top research staffers to Meta Platforms Inc., which has been luring talent from leading tech firms like Apple as it assembles what it calls a “superintelligence” team.

Rumours point to lavish, nine-figure compensation packages being offered, intensifying the competition for AI talent. By enabling employees to sell shares at such elevated valuations, OpenAI hopes to incentivise team members to remain—offering an enticing form of liquidity and reward tied to the company’s phenomenal growth.

Meanwhile, OpenAI continues to make bold moves in tech and product. Recent milestones include releasing AI models capable of mimicking complex human reasoning and preparing for the hotly anticipated launch of the next-generation GPT-5.

Such advancements are keeping OpenAI ahead of rivals, including China’s DeepSeek, which has also made noise in the space with open-source offerings.

ChatGPT usage has grown dramatically as well; the company anticipates reaching 700 million weekly active users, up from 500 million reported at the end of March, and daily user messages now exceed 3 billion.

Challenges ahead

In May, OpenAI also took a major leap toward hardware development by announcing the planned $6.5 billion all-stock acquisition of an AI device startup co-founded by renowned Apple designer Jony Ive.

But there are challenges ahead. OpenAI is currently engaged in parallel negotiations about its future corporate structure, a process that has stretched for months. The core issue involves Microsoft, OpenAI’s largest financier (with $13.75 billion invested) and the company’s right to access and use OpenAI’s intellectual property.

Reports indicate Microsoft is holding out as corporate restructuring talks proceed, aiming to clarify and secure its own interests before the current arrangement expires in 2030. The evolving partnership introduces uncertainty—even as OpenAI cements its influence at the cutting edge of artificial intelligence.

AI, cloud, digital transformation to drive India’s software market in 2025

TCN Bureau
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AI, cloud, digital transformation to drive India’s software market in 2025
  • Microsoft, Oracle, and SAP continue to command leading positions in the software landscape.
  • Many Indian organisations are still dependent on legacy IT systems, which are costly and complex to modernise.

India’s software industry is anticipated to climb to $18.4 billion by the end of 2025, compared to $15.2 billion in 2024, reflecting a robust 21.9 per cent year-over-year increase from 2023, according to new projections from the International Data Corporation (IDC).

India now represents just over a fifth—20.5 per cent—of the Asia/Pacific software market (excluding Japan and China). Industry giants Microsoft, Oracle, and SAP continue to command leading positions in the Indian software landscape during this surge, underscoring their strong foothold.

IDC’s estimates further suggest a powerful outlook for India’s software market, which is expected to maintain an impressive compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 18.8 per cent and possibly reach $35.9 billion in the 2025–2029 span.

Diving deeper, IDC segments the software industry into three core areas: applications, application development and deployment (AD&D), and systems infrastructure (SI) software.

These areas are forecasted to expand at CAGR rates of 15 per cent, 31.2 per cent, and 13.2 per cent, respectively, over the next several years.

AI: Biggest growth engine

Currently, the largest software revenue streams in India stem from engineering, collaborative, customer relationship management (CRM), enterprise resource management (ERM), and content workflow applications.

Notably, the Artificial Intelligence sector stands out as the biggest growth engine, with nearly 91 per cent year-over-year growth in 2024. Collaborative software and endpoint management categories are also gaining significant traction, both registering growth rates well above 29 per cent.

Several factors are fueling this growth. India’s strong economic momentum, a vibrant startup and SME landscape, and government efforts to champion indigenous software and new technologies are all playing key roles.

Companies across sectors are increasingly adopting cloud, AI, and IoT-powered digital solutions, and there’s rising interest in industry-specific software for healthcare, education, and logistics.

Disparities in digital infrastructure

Nevertheless, the surge comes with challenges. Many Indian organisations are still dependent on legacy IT systems, which are costly and complex to modernise.

Demand for specialists in AI, cybersecurity, and advanced cloud technologies continues to surpass what the current workforce can offer, prompting the government and tech giants to invest in reskilling initiatives.

Smaller businesses remain cautious due to budget constraints, often limiting their software spending to essentials. Furthermore, disparities in digital infrastructure between major urban centers and smaller cities are slowing nationwide adoption rates.

“AI is the catchphrase of the day – whether it’s GenAI, Agentic AI, or classic machine learning,” notes Hemanth Gudiwada, IDC India research analyst.

“As Indian enterprises increasingly embrace AI, they are also reinforcing their foundational IT systems to comply with local data regulations and business needs. With a patchwork of legacy, hybrid, and multi-cloud environments, organisations are actively seeking flexible, robust software. Success for providers will hinge on building strong local partnerships and delivery capabilities to meet these evolving requirements.”

MGX eyes $25b capital raise to expand AI investments

TCN Bureau
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MGX eyes $25b capital raise to expand AI investments

Abu Dhabi’s investment powerhouse MGX is evaluating an ambitious strategy to secure up to $25 billion in external capital as it intensifies its push into artificial intelligence.

According to sources referenced by Bloomberg News, the group is considering tapping both financial and strategic investors, not just from Abu Dhabi but also across global markets.

While these efforts could bring in a diverse array of new backers, Mubadala Investment Co and the renowned AI firm G42 are expected to remain as MGX’s primary supporters. Insiders say discussions remain at a preliminary stage, and there’s no certainty that the fundraising will move forward or reach the prospective amount.

MGX has already made notable moves in the AI domain, holding stakes in advanced technology leaders like OpenAI and Elon Musk’s xAI.

The company is under the guidance of Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan—a key figure in the UAE as both national security adviser and a brother to the UAE President, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed.

Tarabut secures Open Finance approval from UAE Central Bank

TCN Bureau
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Tarabut secures Open Finance approval from UAE Central Bank

Tarabut has achieved a significant milestone by receiving in-principle approval from the Central Bank of the UAE, marking an important step as the UAE recently introduced its Open Finance regulation.

With this accomplishment, Tarabut becomes the first fintech player in the region to secure licences under Open Finance frameworks in Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, and now the UAE.

Abdulla Almoayed, Tarabut’s founder and CEO, described this approval as a pivotal leap for financial inclusion within the UAE and the wider region.

“Partnering with the Central Bank of the UAE, positions Tarabut at the forefront of bringing the nation’s Open Finance vision to life. With this achievement, Tarabut continues to write the next chapter of MENA’s financial landscape—one in which financial innovation and inclusion go hand in hand.”

Helping SMEs grow

Tarabut’s platform enables regulated financial institutions, lenders, insurers, and a wide range of digital platforms to leverage customer-permissioned financial data. This not only streamlines real-time credit assessments and income checks but also allows partners to design bespoke financial products for their customers.

Embedding these capabilities directly into partner platforms truly raises the bar for accessible and dynamic financial services throughout the Middle East and North Africa.

The company has extended its reach by providing credit card options for customers with limited or non-existent credit histories—helping many individuals who might otherwise be excluded from the system.

For small and medium-sized businesses, Tarabut offers creative revenue-based financing and pre-check solutions that help reduce underwriting costs, providing a direct boost to entrepreneurs and SMEs.

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