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Google announces $15 billion AI data centre in India, its biggest investment yet

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Google will invest $15 billion over the next five years to build a major artificial intelligence (AI) data centre in the southern Indian state of Andhra Pradesh, marking the company’s largest-ever investment in India. The data centre, to be located in Visakhapatnam, will have an initial capacity of 1 gigawatt, serving as Google’s largest AI hub outside the United States.

The announcement came during an event in New Delhi attended by India’s finance and technology ministers. Google Cloud CEO Thomas Kurian said the project aims to support India’s growing AI ambitions: “This long-term vision we have is to accelerate India’s own AI mission.”

The investment underscores Google’s commitment to expanding its global data infrastructure, with the company planning to spend around $85 billion this year worldwide to boost cloud and AI capabilities.

However, the timing of the announcement coincides with rising diplomatic tension between Washington and New Delhi, following U.S. tariffs on Indian goods and calls within India to boycott foreign products. Despite this, Google said the initiative “creates substantial economic and societal opportunities for both India and the United States.”

Google will partner with Adani Group and Airtel to build the new facility and its accompanying international subsea gateway, which is expected to generate over 188,000 jobs, according to earlier state estimates.

The project places Google alongside Microsoft and Amazon, who have also invested heavily in India’s rapidly expanding data centre market — home to nearly a billion internet users and a booming digital economy.

AI fintech Optasia to raise $375 million in Johannesburg listing

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AI-driven financial technology company Optasia announced plans to raise up to 6.3 billion rand ($375 million) through a listing on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE). The Dubai-based firm said the funds would come from a mix of new shares and a private placement of existing ones.

Optasia, which operates in 38 countries, will raise 1.3 billion rand in its initial public offering and an additional 5 billion rand through existing shareholders. The company is partly owned by Ethos Capital.

CEO Salvador Anglada said the IPO will help Optasia scale operations and “expand financial opportunity where it is needed most.” The fintech provides AI-powered micro-loans and mobile airtime credit to unbanked individuals, processing more than 32 million daily transactions for about 121 million users.

Founded in 2012, Optasia focuses on Africa, the Middle East, and Asia, working with telecom partners such as MTN, Vodacom, and Airtel.

India Plans to Limit Satellite Permits to Five Years, Challenging Musk’s Starlink

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India’s telecom regulator, TRAI (Telecom Regulatory Authority of India), is preparing to recommend limiting satellite broadband spectrum allocations to five years, despite Elon Musk’s Starlink pushing for a 20-year permit. This proposed policy aims to evaluate initial market adoption and adjust accordingly, a senior government source revealed.

Currently, TRAI is working on key recommendations regarding satellite spectrum, including time frames and pricing, to be presented to the Indian government. The government’s stance goes against Musk’s request for longer-term spectrum allocations to secure affordable pricing and longer-term business plans.

This decision comes on the heels of a partnership between Musk’s Starlink and Indian billionaire Mukesh Ambani, which will allow Starlink devices to be sold in Reliance stores, significantly increasing distribution access. Reliance and Musk’s Starlink had been rivals, with Ambani’s telco subsidiary previously lobbying for an auctioned spectrum rather than the administrative allotment Musk seeks.

While Starlink advocates for a 20-year license to focus on affordability and long-term growth, Ambani’s Reliance proposed a 3-year license followed by a reassessment of the market. Similarly, Airtel, another Indian telecom company, has called for a 3-5 year license period.

TRAI is inclined to adopt the 5-year licensing period, giving the industry time to evaluate market stability and allowing for future revisions of spectrum prices. A government official explained that this approach would help assess the sector’s growth while enabling pricing adjustments after the initial period.

The final recommendations, including the license duration and spectrum pricing, are expected within a month. The proposals will be submitted to India’s telecoms ministry for further review and action. However, Starlink’s distribution agreements with Reliance and Airtel depend on the company’s ability to secure regulatory approvals in India.

Industry forecasts show that India’s satellite communications sector could see substantial growth, with KPMG predicting a more than 10-fold increase, potentially reaching $25 billion by 2028.