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India commemorates its strides in digital empowerment and global leadership as it marks World Telecommunication and Information Society Day, showcasing its remarkable journey in the digital landscape.
Union Minister of State for Communications Shri Devusinh Chauhan launched the World Telecom Day Conference in New Delhi, underlining India’s telecom progress, including the inauguration of a start-up innovation exhibition. He highlighted India’s global telecom leadership and stressed collaboration among stakeholders for India’s technological advancement.
A Commemorative Stamp was issued to mark the completion of 20 years of USOF, alongside the unveiling of the USOF@India book and the open ran Test Bed Project, while also honouring top-performing Bharat Udyamis, showcasing India’s advancements in last-mile connectivity and telecom infrastructure development.
Secretary (Telecom) Shru K Rajaraman commended the development of the Sanchar Saathi portal for user safety and security, underscoring the need for collective efforts to ensure a reliable and secure telecom infrastructure and provide affordable and sustainable services to citizens, showcasing India’s commitment to digital inclusivity and global confidence.
The telecom sector in India has undergone significant transformations in recent years, laying the foundation for a new era of innovation. With a massive user base, unprecedented data consumption, and a conducive policy environment, India continues to drive industry growth and foster startup innovation. Presently, the country boasts a 99% coverage footprint in 4G, with over 6 lakh villages covered and approximately 4.42 lakh 5G BTS installed.
The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) is actively forging strategic international partnerships to develop a world-class telecom ecosystem, enhancing global connectivity, and positioning India as a leader in digital innovation and infrastructure. Through telecom diplomacy, India has attracted new business ventures, forged partnerships with global leaders, nurtured domestic startups, and showcased its commitment to innovation and leadership in telecommunications.
Strategic partnerships with telecom chip companies and partner countries have been instrumental in India’s global outreach efforts. Collaborations with tech giants like Qualcomm, Intel, and AMD have resulted in initiatives to support startups, provide mentorship, and develop 5G labs for use case development.
Additionally, engagements with organisations like the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and the National Science Foundation (NSF) of the USA have facilitated dialogues on spectrum allocation, quality of service, and future tech research, fostering knowledge exchange and collaboration.
India’s active participation in international forums like the World Radio Conference has safeguarded its spectrum interests and secured benefits for its telecom and space sectors. Furthermore, the country’s engagement with partner nations and international bodies such as ITU and APT has been pivotal in driving telecom growth and securing leadership positions in global digital innovation.
India’s upcoming hosting of the World Telecommunication Standardisation Assembly in October 2024 underscores its growing influence in shaping global telecommunications standards. Further, efforts to transform the India Mobile Congress into a global event by 2025 aim to bolster the country’s economy by attracting international participants and investments.
By tapping into specialised knowledge through collaborations with institutions like the University of Chicago and engaging with experts through initiatives like the Future Tech Expert Portal, India is bolstering its research and innovation capabilities in areas such as Quantum Networks and Quantum Teleportation.
India has solidified its position in the telecommunications sector, leading the charge in innovation and catalysing transformative shifts both at home and abroad. Fueled by a thriving market and a swiftly growing user base, India has become a central figure in moulding the trajectory of telecommunications worldwide, exerting influence on a global scale and setting standards for the industry’s evolution.