Mobile Tech Accessibilities

Jio didn't just enter the market - it disrupted it completely. India's internet landscape underwent a seismic shift in 2016 with the arrival of Reliance Jio. Here's how they achieved this: ✅ The Power of Free: Jio offered free voice calls and dirt-cheap data plans for months, making internet access affordable for millions who were previously excluded. This aggressive pricing strategy put immense pressure on existing players and forced them to lower their costs. ✅ Building a Superior Network: Jio invested heavily in building a robust 4G LTE network, putting them ahead of competitors still reliant on older technologies. This ensured faster speeds and better connectivity, creating a superior user experience. ✅ A Data-Driven Future: Jio understood the growing demand for mobile data and catered to it. Their affordable data plans fueled the rise of online streaming, social media usage, and e-commerce, leading to a digital revolution across India. ✅ A Digital Ecosystem Approach: Jio went beyond just being a telecom provider. They launched Jio apps for music, entertainment, and payments, creating a comprehensive digital ecosystem that kept users engaged within their platform. And the outcome? They captured a lion's share of ~52% in the sector! That's massive for someone who is not even 8 years old! What has Jio enabled for you? #internet #internetbusiness #telecommunications #ecommerce

𝐁𝐒𝐍𝐋'𝐬 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐛𝐚𝐜𝐤: 𝐖𝐢𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐬 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐀𝐟𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐝𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐢𝐧 𝐚 𝐇𝐢𝐠𝐡-𝐓𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐟𝐟 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐞𝐭! 📶 In an unexpected shift, BSNL has emerged as a major winner in August 2024, adding 𝟐𝟓 𝐥𝐚𝐤𝐡 𝐧𝐞𝐰 𝐬𝐮𝐛𝐬𝐜𝐫𝐢𝐛𝐞𝐫𝐬 amidst significant losses for private telecom giants! Here's what happened: 📈 𝐁𝐒𝐍𝐋’𝐬 𝐆𝐫𝐨𝐰𝐭𝐡: While Jio, Airtel, and Vi faced heavy subscriber losses, BSNL saw a remarkable uptick, gaining lakhs of new users in July and August. This trend highlights the impact of recent tariff hikes by private operators, which led many consumers to seek more affordable options. 💸 𝐖𝐡𝐲 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐡𝐢𝐟𝐭? BSNL’s competitive advantage lies in its 𝐚𝐟𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐝𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐟𝐟𝐬—offering one of the lowest ARPUs (Average Revenue Per User) at just around 𝐑𝐬 𝟗𝟎! Compared to Airtel (Rs 211), Jio (Rs 195), and Vodafone Idea (Rs 146), BSNL’s cost-effective plans are attractive to price-sensitive customers. 📊 𝐂𝐮𝐫𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐞𝐭 𝐒𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐞: Despite this growth, BSNL holds only 𝟕.𝟖% of the market, compared to Jio’s 40.5%, Airtel’s 33%, and Vi’s 18%. However, BSNL’s comeback signals that affordability is still a crucial factor in the telecom space. This resurgence showcases the potential of public sector companies to remain competitive and underscores the importance of 𝐚𝐟𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐝𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐭𝐲 for millions of users! #TelecomNews #BSNL #DigitalIndia #Connectivity #TRAI BSNL LTD

₹249 → ₹299. Looks small? For over 1 billion Indian prepaid users, it’s anything but. Airtel just pulled its ₹249 plan (1 GB/day, 24 days). The cheapest option now is ₹299/month. Jio followed suit. One thing is evident. Even budget users are being nudged toward higher tariffs. What’s driving this? -ARPU pressure: Analysts expect a ₹10–11 increase per user—potentially adding ₹18–20 billion in EBITDA. -4G/5G infrastructure costs: Expanding networks at scale is expensive. -Market consolidation: Fewer players, more pricing power. Silver Lining? There’s regulatory cover, too. TRAI mandated ₹10 top-ups and long-duration voice/SMS plans back in December 2024. But here's the catch—these affordable plans remain nearly invisible on operator apps and websites, especially for the most price-sensitive users. The reality: Urban, data-first users face continued cost pressure. Lower-income and non-data users, while promised relief on paper, don’t see it in practice. If telecoms want a truly inclusive, digital India, they must pair regulation with visibility and real access. My next worry? There’s talk about cutting GST on life and health insurance—will that benefit reach consumers, or end up another good headline? #LinkedInEditorialProgram #LinkedInInsiderConnect LinkedIn LinkedIn News India LinkedIn India

📢 New Article Alert: Can BSNL Rescue Price-Sensitive Consumers from the Impact of Recent Data Price Hikes? In my latest piece, I delve into the effectiveness of the numerous revival packages granted to BSNL by the Government of India. With recent data tariff hikes sparking public discontent, it's crucial to assess whether BSNL can step up to provide affordable 4G and 5G services. 🔍 Key Insights: Analysis of BSNL's 4G deployment in the 700 MHz band and the limited availability of affordable devices. Exploration of the 800 MHz band as a potential game-changer for BSNL, leveraging an existing ecosystem of affordable 4G devices. Strategic recommendations for reallocating spectrum and resources to enhance BSNL's competitiveness and service quality. 📈 Conclusion: Empowering BSNL with the 800 MHz spectrum can provide affordable, high-quality mobile services and protect consumers from rising data prices. This move will not only benefit the Indian populace but also ensure market competitiveness and growth. 📰 Read the full article to understand the path forward for BSNL and how it can better serve the price-sensitive segments of our society. #BSNL #DataPriceHike #Affordable4G #TelecomReform #DigitalIndia #TelecomStrategy

🚀 Europe’s Armed Forces Face a 15km 'Death Zone'—Startups Could Be the Key to Surviving It Europe’s militaries are confronting a new battlefield reality: a 15km "zone of total death" identified from the Ukrainian frontlines, where traditional logistics and manned operations have become lethal due to drones, electronic warfare, and precision strikes. At the recent UK-Ukraine Defence Tech Forum, General Valerii Zaluzhnyi put it bluntly: “Classical offensive operations are not just ineffective—they’re suicidal in these zones.” 👉 This challenge demands a radical rethink of logistics at the tactical edge. Troops cannot risk driving trucks into these zones. Instead, quiet, electric Unmanned Ground Vehicles (UGVs) must be deployed to ferry ammunition, supplies, and even evacuate the wounded—taking humans out of harm’s way. But here’s the breakthrough: AI-driven autonomy is making this possible. Startups like TENCORE are scaling rapidly to meet this need, delivering modular UGVs capable of: ✅ Autonomous navigation in GPS- and comms-denied environments using AI-powered perception and route planning ✅ Real-time adaptation to battlefield threats without direct operator control ✅ Modular mission-switching—from logistics to mine-laying to fire support—on a single platform These vehicles are engineered for extreme resilience and flexibility: battery swaps in under 10 seconds, lego-like repairability, and minimal human intervention. But let’s be clear: 👉 Hardware is now table stakes. It’s software that will win the wars of the future. The edge lies in the software layer: AI that can navigate and decide under electronic warfare and jamming Swarming algorithms that enable distributed, coordinated missions Autonomous decision-making at the tactical edge without waiting for command uplinks 🔥 The startup opportunity? Europe’s militaries urgently need: AI-first, software-defined autonomy platforms Interoperable software ecosystems across NATO forces Rapid software iteration matching the speed of battlefield adaptation In today’s wars, humans are the most expensive and vulnerable resource. AI-enabled autonomy isn’t just a buzzword—it’s the frontline’s survival mechanism. The future of defence will be fought in code, deployed on autonomous machines. 💬 If you’re building robotics, AI, autonomy platforms, or distributed software systems, this is your moment. Let’s connect: Europe’s defence ecosystem is ready for bold innovators. #DefenceInnovation #MilitaryLogistics #UGVs #AI #AutonomousSystems #SoftwareDefinedWarfare #StartupOpportunity #EuropeanSecurity #TechForDefence #Ukraine #KARISTA #PSION #NationalSecurity #Geopolitics #DualUseTech #OmniUse #DefenceTech #VentureCapital #Investing #TechCommandInvesting

Telco Spectrum Fees is a Tax on the Poor Over the last decade, telecom operators have spent over $700 billion on spectrum licenses globally. In 2021 alone, auctions brought governments $140 billion. But by 2024, that revenue dropped to just $1.06 billion. The model is collapsing and for good reason. Across emerging markets, mobile networks are replacing traditional infrastructure. In countries with limited public services, mobile connectivity is now the only way millions access education, healthcare, employment, and banking. In Latin America, for example, 41% of mobile internet traffic is education-related, and over 90% of rural users rely solely on mobile. Yet many governments continue to treat spectrum as a cash cow. For example, Mexico charges up to 10 times more than Germany for equivalent spectrum, despite having a lower income base and greater connectivity needs. This pricing discourages investment. Operators return spectrum. Auctions fail. Networks lag. The current model, charging high upfront and annual spectrum fees, is economically inefficient. It removes capital from operators that would otherwise go into network expansion, rural coverage, and service quality. The opportunity cost is high and citizens pay it. Instead, governments should allocate licensed spectrum at low or zero cost, conditioned on strict, enforceable obligations from operators: 1. Coverage targets for rural and underserved areas 2. Capacity benchmarks to ensure quality of experience 3. Content and device access programs to promote digital inclusion This isn’t a subsidy to operators, it’s a better-targeted economic transfer to people. It aligns operator investment with national development goals, while accelerating digital equity. Spectrum is the most powerful non-cash instrument a government has to close the gap. Using it to generate revenue is not just short-sighted; it’s regressive.

The criticality of battlefield energy increases as we accelerate advanced capabilities to the tactical edge. Capitalizing on additional mobile capabilities requires matching advances in high density energy storage (HDES) systems to power them. Military HDES systems need to provide the power systems when, where and for how long warfighters need them. Current technology arguably meets today’s needs, although warfighters who carry a widely published figure of 21 pounds of batteries for a 72-hour mission may disagree. Looking ahead, or even at today’s headlines, we can observe rapid advances in AI, robotics, space systems, communications and sensing—all destined to create new warfighting advantages if the necessary HDES advances can meet their power needs. We continued to focus on energy storage and power efficiency since it's obvious that advanced computer based tactical systems will not function without power. Historically, HDES advances require expensive and lengthy research followed by navigation of complex supply chain and manufacturing challenges in reaching commercial scale. Compared to their civilian counterparts, military applications have even more stringent safety, ruggedization, environmental and supply chain requirements. This means the military must be more purposeful at anticipating and investing in HDES. The U.S. Army has made important progress developing silicon anode batteries that will add about 50% energy density tactical power sources and even more capable HDES solutions to capitalize on technology opportunities. Solid state batteries (SSB) with lithium-metal anodes/metal oxide cathodes and lithium-metal anodes/sulfur cathodes present two promising battery technologies for reaching higher specific energy (watt-hour per kilogram (Wh/kg). Their potential to charge quickly and increase cycle life using simple, rugged designs make them attractive for Defense applications. Sodium ion batteries could offer a fully domestic alternative to lithium-ion batteries with advantages of eliminating thermal runaway risk and excellent performance in extreme hot or cold, high shock and vibration and long shelf storage scenarios. Still, the military needs better HDES technologies. Options with potential include fuel cells, wireless energy distribution and advanced electrochemical alternatives. These require focused efforts today in recognition of their near total effect on the usefulness of additional power-demanding combat enablers. Returns on higher-performing HDES on the battlefield resulting from advanced uses of new technologies can sustain and extend U.S. warfighter overmatch for decades to come. *This image was created on 1/10/25 with GenAI art tool, Midjourney, using this prompt: A service member holding a digital display showing signals to outer space. She has an energy storage glow blue on her vest powering her device with an integrated battery level indicator. Show a battery indicator, 2 of 4 bars full on her vest--v 6.1.

In today’s defense ecosystem, everyone’s talking about loitering munitions, swarm drones, and autonomous platforms. These are the visible tools of modern warfare—fast-moving, high-tech, headline-worthy. But the real enabler? Communication. While the drones fly and systems engage, tactical communications—the ability to transmit and receive secure, uninterrupted data and voice across all domains—is what keeps the mission coherent, the units coordinated, and the commanders informed. From my own experience in the field, I can tell you this: no action starts without a green light, and no green light comes without reliable comms. Let’s break down the real-world challenges: 1. GPS-Denied Environments Near-peer conflicts have made GNSS jamming and spoofing commonplace. Without robust fallback systems, even the best positioning or timing systems are blind. HF solutions—properly engineered—offer a resilient, SATCOM-independent layer that operates across thousands of kilometers, providing reliable time, position, and messaging continuity. 2. Urban and Cluttered Terrain In dense cities or mountainous regions, line-of-sight VHF or SATCOM is degraded. Here, self-healing MANET networks shine—especially those built for mobility, multi-hop, and dynamic topologies. Systems like those integrated by Wavestorm (including Creomagic’s advanced mesh nodes) adapt in real time, maintaining secure connectivity without fixed infrastructure. 3. High Throughput Demands for ISR and Video Today’s commanders demand real-time ISR feeds from unmanned platforms—often over extended distances. Traditional narrowband radios can’t keep up. High-bandwidth MANET radios, capable of pushing HD video with low latency, are becoming essential—not just nice-to-have. 4. Contested Spectrum and EW Threats Jammers and intercept tools are evolving fast. Communications gear must now incorporate frequency agility, cognitive routing, LPI/LPD modes, and encryption—not as upgrades, but as base requirements. 5. Disconnected, Disrupted, Intermittent, and Limited (D-DIL) Conditions Humanitarian missions, SOF teams, Arctic patrols—many operations begin where infrastructure ends. HF, VHF, and MANET each serve a role in these D-DIL scenarios. The trick is not picking one, but integrating all—multi-layered, interoperable comms that adjust to the environment in real time. Wavestorm Technologies specialize in these multi-domain communication layers: -HF radio systems for long-range redundancy -VHF solutions for tactical ground and vehicular mobility -Advanced MANET networks for ISR, C2, and mission-critical data flow *All platforms are MIL-STD-certified, hot-zone validated, and optimized for mission continuity under stress. This is not about radios. It’s about delivering information when it matters most. #TacticalComms #MANET #HF #VHF #MilitaryInnovation #EWResilience #DefenseTech #C2Systems #ISR #WavestormTechnologies Canadian Armed Forces | Forces armées canadiennes US Army

Mesh networks 𝗡𝗼𝘄 𝘃𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗰𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗮 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘀 One of the obvious pitfalls in relying on data for tactical advantage on the battlefield is the vulnerability of communications networks. The more data you rely on for Command, Control, Communications, Computers Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance, or C4ISR, the more vital network access is. Globally, the military has a wide spectrum of options to handle multimedia communications, but different rules apply on the battlefield. Today’s battlefield can be spread over vast areas with different types of terrain, access and operational risk. Traditionally, combat units have used centralised communications networks, where communications needed to connect to a central hub, such as a base station or satellite, to communicate with other units on the field. Meanwhile, longstanding microwave relay systems have required direct line-of-sight (LOS). The key risk of traditional communications is vulnerability, because the limited number of transmitters and hubs become high value targets for an adversary. A central hub provides a single point of failure. So, in order to have scale in the traditional world, there needs to be redundancy provided in the form of another central hub. In addition, communicating over an extended area means that distance, terrain and weather conditions can degrade signals. Tactical radio systems have long been in use to provide combat units will localised voice communications, such as the Soldier Radio Waveform (SRW) developed by Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) and ITT. However, the data demands of both battlefield command systems and central C4ISR centres, require different solutions. Mesh networks solve these issues by connecting the Internet of Battlefield Things (IoBT) as network nodes, requiring no central communications hub. Wireless radio devices (which could be housed in any asset, on or above the field) automatically locate one another and establish a data network. Data transmissions hop from one unit to another, maintaining signal strength. LOS is not required, so even if nodes are located behind a hill or within a building, units can still receive signals that have been relayed through other wireless nodes. Most important of all, is the resilience that mesh networks offer in a combat scenario. There is no single point of failure in a mesh network. If one node is eliminated or goes offline, the network ‘self-heals’ by finding another route. Thus, mesh networks automatically adjust and optimise according to the availability and position of network nodes, which could be command vehicles, AMPVs, helicopters, UAVs or connected soldiers. Mesh networks provide a real breakthrough and are currently being implemented and integrated across domains by UK, US, and other Nato militaries. #mesh #network #military #cisr4 #communications

Carrying heavy batteries has always been one of the biggest challenges for soldiers in the field. Radios, GPS systems, night-vision goggles, and other essential equipment require constant power, often forcing troops to carry 20–30 pounds of batteries. To solve this, the U.S. Army is testing innovative wearable solar panels that allow soldiers to recharge gear directly from the sun, cutting weight while boosting endurance and safety. These lightweight, flexible panels can be integrated into uniforms, backpacks, or foldable mats. Using advanced thin-film technology, they work even under cloudy skies, ensuring continuous energy supply during missions. For soldiers, this means greater mobility and reduced reliance on vulnerable supply lines. Since fuel convoys and battery shipments are frequent targets in war zones, cutting this dependence could save lives as well as costs. The military has long pioneered renewable energy innovations. During past conflicts, the Army and Marines experimented with solar-powered tents and microgrids to reduce fuel usage. The wearable solar project builds on that legacy, signaling a future where military operations become more self-sufficient and less dependent on fossil fuels. Beyond defense, this technology could benefit disaster response teams, hikers, rescue missions, and even remote communities. By investing in renewable military tech, the U.S. is accelerating the development of consumer applications that may soon help civilians live and work off-grid more efficiently. #MilitaryInnovation #SolarTech #CleanEnergyDefense #WearableTech #FutureOfWar