For Jyotiraditya Scindia, who’s the new communications minister, overseeing the spectrum auctions which begins from June 25, framing rules for the new Telecom Act, and handling the growing volume of pesky calls, will be the key task.
However, industry analysts expect Scindia to handle all such issues with ease and speed as he’s not a newcomer to the ministry and is no stranger to the issues at stake. He was minister of state for communications in the UPA-I government and had initiated a major reform process of the postal system under Project Arrow.
He’s quick to grasp issues and draw up his agenda, when he then pursues passionately and at great speed. The added advantage he brings is the trust of the industry, for whom he’s no stranger.
Modi 3.0: First Cabinet meeting clears 3 crore affordable housing
Inox Air aims to expand green hydrogen business
‘Focus will be on making the new businesses large’
Cost of building Chandrababu’s ‘city of the future’ nearly doubles to Rs 40,000 crore
One of the major issue which will need Scindia’s attention is the allocation of spectrum for satellite communication services.
The 6 GHz spectrum band for telecom and Wi-Fi, mandatory caller identification solution, BSNL’s 4G/5G rollout, work on 6G technology, and improvement in telecom production-linked incentive (PLI) scheme, are some of the other issues, which will need his attention.
In what can be said to be a perfect coordination in handling issues and coming up with solutions, will be the perfect rapport between Scindia and department of telecommunications secretary, Neeraj Mittal. Mittal was Scindia’s private secretary when the former was MoS communications in the UPA government.
Simplification of right of way (RoW) norms, satellite licensing reforms, changes in SIM card rules to prevent fraud, are among the other issues which Scindia needs to take forward.
Industry executives want the new government to focus on the PM Wani initiative for public Wi-Fi hotspots, which is facing issues such as telcos/internet service providers charging higher rates for bandwidth from public data offices (PDOs).
The industry applauded Scindia’s appointment as the communications minister.
“COAI on behalf of the telecom industry is really pleased to welcome Jyotiraditya Scindia as the hon’ble minister of communications,” said SP Kochhar, director general of COAI, which represents telecom operators.
“We look forward to working with him to advance further policy reforms and spearhead pioneering initiatives that will elevate the digital revolution to the next level, integrating a variety of technological innovations,” Kochhar added.
Tilak Raj Dua, director general of Digital Infrastructure Providers Association (DIPA) said, “…we are confident that the new government will build upon this momentum, ensuring the seamless implementation and sustained success of these landmark initiatives”.
The telecom industry seeks a clear vision and roadmap from the new government to cement India’s position as a global leader in digital infrastructure, Dua added.
In FY24, the telecom equipment exports crossed the Rs 45,000 crore mark with exports of around Rs 10,500 crore, owing to telecom PLI scheme. In FY24, the telecom operators, AGR (adjusted gross revenue) touched Rs 2.37 trillion, a YoY growth of over 8%, according to estimates.
From: financialexpress
Financial News
