The past few months have been eventful for the telecom sector, with the government making several concerted efforts to drive growth. These include spectrum auctions, the introduction of the Indian Telecommunications Act, 2023, and the constitution of six stakeholder advisory committees. In his keynote address at the theme launch of the upcoming India Mobile Congress 2024, Jyotiraditya M. Scindia, Union Minister of Communications and Development of North Eastern Region, shared his views on the emergence of telecom as a sunrise sector, growing 5G roll-out in the country and India’s goal to become a leader in the telecom technology domain. Edited excerpts from his address…
Technology is at its best when it brings people together; and for this, I believe there is no better example than our country – the largest and fastest growing telecom market in the world. India is probably the only market in the world that has leapfrogged technology over the past decade.
I believe that technology can bridge multiple divides in our country. Technology and communication can provide a platform of opportunities to every citizen across the length and breadth of the nation. The communication network can bring together people from villages and cities.
In the past decade, several revolutionary changes have been introduced in Indian telecommunications, facilitated by the focus on digital infrastructure, policy reforms and building domestic capabilities. These three elements together are forging our country’s digital future. We aim to harness our domestic talent and showcase it on the world stage.
The past 10 years have seen a paradigm shift in the telecom sector. I believe that with our mission of “Antyodaya”, our vision of a digital India, the development of the world’s fastest growing telecom market, and the fastest 5G deployment globally, India has shown that it is no longer merely a consumer of global technology but also a supplier of it.
I believe 2024 will be a hallmark year when, for the first time, we host the World Telecommunication Standardisation Assembly 2024, along with the India Mobile Congress 2024. This combination of domestic and world events will position India on the global stage of the telecom market.
The theme of India Mobile Congress 2024, “The Future is Now”, represents our capabilities, achievements and possibilities for the future. It will be an opportunity to brainstorm new ideas, collaborate and bring innovative solutions for a digital and connected world. The event will serve as a perfect platform to showcase cutting-edge solutions, services and state-of-the-art use cases in the technology ecosystem.
The Ministry of Communications (MoC) and the Indian government are not only committed to a transparent process but are also moving from being regulators to facilitators.
Over the past decade, we have developed an innovative culture, nurtured capabilities, attracted investments, narrowed the digital divide and provided last-mile connectivity. The success across these factors has proven how technology can empower 1.4 billion people, 17 per cent of the world’s population. Of the various achievements in recent years, the most notable include the fastest 5G roll-out, which is now being accompanied by a commitment towards 6G. In a bid to take 6G technology forward, we are already in the process of getting almost 127 global patents, along with setting up 100 5G case labs. The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) is committed to not only having the carriage and content but also ensuring their rational and widespread use.
In my opinion, the adoption of technology is key for India’s digital transformation. Technology is not just an enabler; it enriches lives, brings progress and delivers dividends of growth. I am confident that the 5G case labs we are developing will take us forward in the days to come.
Another area of achievement has been the local production of telecom equipment. Our production-linked incentive scheme for manufacturing telecom equipment has been a huge success, with close to Rs 34 billion worth of investment, Rs 500 billion worth of sales, Rs 1.05 billion worth of exports, and the creation of almost 17,800 new jobs across India. It has given an impetus to the goal of Atmanirbhar Bharat.
Our balance of trade in mobile and telecom equipment, which had a negative balance of approximately Rs 880 billion in 2014, has now been narrowed down to just Rs 40 billion, a 95 per cent improvement. From manufacturing only 5 million mobile phones a decade ago, India now manufactures 33 million mobile phones today. While our mobile phone exports were once only Rs 15 billion, they have surged to Rs 1.28 trillion today. Similarly, telecom equipment exports, which were minimal in the past, now stands at Rs 200 billion.
The MoC has also launched a testing scheme for start-ups and micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs). The government is committed to supporting MSMEs and start-ups, helping them through the certification process and providing financial assistance. We are also working to establish a conducive cybersecurity ecosystem in the country. To this end, an MoU has been signed between the National Telecommunications Institute for Policy Research, Innovation and Training and IIT Jammu for capacity building in the areas of cybersecurity.
“The growth in internet penetration in the past decade has been transformative. Internet penetration in India has grown by 52 per cent, from a low 14 per cent in 2014 to 67 per cent today, with 930 million internet users across the country.”
The most notable development in recent times has been the promulgation and notification of the new Telecommunications Act, 2023. The vestiges of the colonial past, embodied in the 130-year-old Indian Telegraph Act of 1885, have been consigned to the flames of history, and a new, robust modern act has been brought forward. The act was notified in end-June 2024, and the MoC is committed to having all related rules notified within 180 days.
The roll-out of 5G over the past one year has been exemplary. The country has witnessed the fastest 5G deployment in the world, with almost 450,000 5G base transceiver stations deployed across the country. DoT is now working towards 4G saturation. We are the fifth country in the world to develop our own indigenous 4G stack. Based on its successful implementation and execution, we will work on developing in-house capabilities for 5G and 6G technologies as well.
Similarly, the growth in internet penetration in the past decade has been transformative. Internet penetration in India has grown by 52 per cent, from a low 14 per cent in 2014 to 67 per cent today, with 930 million internet users across the country.
We have definitely come a long way over the past decade. A country that once worked to keep pace with global 4G efforts is now advancing towards 5G, and is aiming to lead the world in 6G. The government has been making concerted efforts to achieve this vision and two examples stand out – the establishment of the Chennai-Andaman and Nicobar Islands link at an investment of approximately Rs 10 billion, and the development of the Kochi-Lakshadweep submarine optical fibre cable line at a cost of about Rs 12 billion. These achievements clearly demonstrate that India is expanding its reach. We are committed not only to connecting every citizen within the country’s realm but also to enhancing international connectivity in the days to come.
The government is working on “5G Intelligent Village”, with plans to initially connect 10 villages with 5G software and applications.
In conclusion, as Stephen Hawking once said, “Intelligence is the ability to adapt to change”, this opportunity is here and now for us in India. Technology and its adaptation are within our grasp.