India to relax satcom rules, likely to benefit Musk’s Starlink - ET
India is set to relax security rules for satellite communication (satcom) licenses, potentially benefiting Elon Musk"s Starlink, Economic Times reports. Proposed changes include allowing remote management of satellite networks and removing the fixed-location requirement for satellite terminals.
These modifications could pave the way for Global Mobile Personal Communication by Satellite (GMPCS) licenses for Starlink and Amazon’s project Kuiper, whose applications are pending, according to ET. While Starlink has expressed readiness to comply, Amazon has requested more time.
The relaxation could align Indian norms with global standards, but experts warn of security risks, particularly regarding border areas and remote management. The shift comes amid intense competition in India’s burgeoning space economy, which could reach $44 billion by 2033, according to various industry estimates.
xAI raises $6 billion, OpenAI offers new $200 subscription
Elon Musk"s artificial intelligence startup xAI has raised around $6 billion in equity financing, joining the AI arms race in which OpenAI, the maker of ChatGPT is currently the most widely recognised name.
The funding comes at a time xAI is looking to increase its footprint in the artificial intelligence industry by expanding its Memphis, Tennessee, supercomputer to house at least one million graphics processing units, Reuters reports.
Advertisement
Meanwhile, OpenAI, which closed a $6.6 billion funding round in October, has launched a version of ChatGPT at $200 per month, which can be used in engineering fields and for research, according to a separate Reuters report.
The new tier, called ChatGPT Pro, will be in addition to OpenAI"s existing subscriptions of ChatGPT Plus, Team and Enterprise.
GCCs evolving to become strategic centres for innovation - ISG
Global Capability Centres (GCCs) are evolving from cost-saving tools to strategic assets for multinational firms, ISG, an influential outsourcing advisory and consultancy, notes in a recent paper. These centres now drive innovation in IT support, research and development, and process optimization, according to ISG.
The rise of AI technologies, especially generative and agentic AI, will further boost their potential. Important drivers for the growth of GCCs – India, with already some 1700 of them, is seeing a new wave – include globalization, digitalization, and advancements in specialized fields like finance, IT, and data analytics.
GCCs offer enterprises access to global talent, enhance operational efficiency, and provide strategic flexibility to adapt to market changes. As organizations look to optimize their GCCs, key focus areas include leveraging AI for productivity and exploring new ways to monetize these hubs for greater value.
Myntra enters Q-Commerce with 30 minute apparel delivery
Myntra, India’s leading fashion e-commerce platform, has launched “M-Now," a quick-commerce service delivering apparel and lifestyle products within 30 minutes. Initially available in Bengaluru, M-Now will expand to major cities like Mumbai, Delhi, and Pune.
The service offers 10,000 styles from popular brands such as Tommy Hilfiger, Vero Moda, MAC, and Fossil, with plans to expand to 100,000 styles in the next few months. Myntra’s move comes as quick commerce gains traction in India, where the market is projected to reach $42 billion by 2030.
Advertisement
Myntra aims to cater to evolving consumer expectations for faster deliveries, marking it as one of the first major e-commerce players to offer quick fashion delivery at scale.
ADB funds $50 million climate-adaptive water project in Meghalaya
The Government of India and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) have signed a $50 million loan agreement to enhance water security in Meghalaya, according to a government press release. The funds will support the Climate-Adaptative Community-Based Water-Harvesting Project, aiming to construct 532 small water storage facilities across 12 districts.
Read More
These climate-resilient systems will help manage monsoon rainfall and provide water during dry seasons. The project will improve agricultural productivity and livelihoods, particularly for women, and establish 50 weather stations for climate monitoring.
It will also develop 3,000 hectares of irrigation and pilot renewable micro-hydropower systems. ADB will assist in implementing Meghalaya’s State Water Policy, strengthening local water management capacities, and supporting community-driven water security plans.
I'm the Technology Editor at Forbes India and I love writing about all things tech. Explaining the big picture, where tech meets business and society, is what drives me. I don't get to do that every d
