Telecom and Rural Development Minister Engages with CTOs at ITU-WTSA24 and IMC24
NEW DELHI (Economy India): In the backdrop of the ITU-WTSA24 and IMC24, Union Minister of State for Telecom and Rural Development, Dr. Pemmasani Chandrasekhar, hosted a breakfast meeting with the Chief Technology Officers (CTOs) of major telecom companies and startups in New Delhi. The purpose of the gathering was to discuss challenges in the sector and explore collaborative solutions to shape the future of telecommunications in India.
‘Made by India’: A New Milestone in Telecom
Dr. Chandrasekhar highlighted India’s evolution in the telecom space, stating:
“India’s telecom journey is one of transformation. A decade ago, we were merely a service delivery market; today, we are at the forefront of 5G, IoT, and indigenous technology development.”
He emphasized the shift from ‘Made for India’ to ‘Made by India’ and credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ (Self-Reliant India) initiative for driving this transformation. He added,
“The Prime Minister’s visionary leadership, with policies encouraging indigenous capabilities, has enabled India to emerge as a global leader in technology.”
Next Phase of India’s Telecom Journey
The meeting saw participation from top companies like C-DOT, Airtel, Reliance Jio, Ericsson, Qualcomm, and STL. Discussions revolved around the future of 5G, 6G, IoT, and next-gen communication technologies.
Dr. Chandrasekhar shared insights into the Telecom Technology Development Fund (TTDF), designed to promote indigenous innovation. With an annual budget of $60 million, the fund supports 5G labs and advanced telecom projects across the country, encouraging prototyping and commercialization.
Boosting Local Manufacturing with PLI Scheme
The minister also discussed the Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme, launched in 2021 to promote domestic manufacturing and exports. He noted that the scheme, with a targeted investment of $1.4 billion over five years, has already attracted $450 million in investments and recorded sales worth $6 billion. The initiative provides additional incentives to companies investing in R&D and developing indigenous products.
Focus on Emerging Technologies: 6G and Edge Computing
Dr. Chandrasekhar urged industry leaders to focus on developing next-gen technologies like quantum communication and edge computing. He remarked:
“This is our opportunity to lead the 6G rollout and create partnerships that unlock new business models for Industry 4.0 and smart cities.”
Collaboration to Drive Growth
During the meeting, CTOs highlighted the need for more use cases for 5G and stressed the importance of fiberizing telecom towers to improve backhaul infrastructure. They emphasized that robust telecom networks would not only enable digital inclusion but also drive economic growth and technological sovereignty.
ITU-WTSA24 & IMC24: Strengthening India’s Global Position
The discussions were part of the ongoing WTSA24 and IMC24 events in New Delhi, marking a new chapter in India’s digital journey. WTSA24 offers India the chance to lead global discussions on standards, ranging from Open RAN and 6G to AI-powered networks and cybersecurity. Meanwhile, IMC24, Asia’s largest digital forum, provides a platform to showcase India’s tech capabilities and foster international collaboration.
Dr. Chandrasekhar commended the telecom leaders, saying:
“Your efforts ensure that telecom networks are not just infrastructure but enablers of digital inclusion, economic growth, and technological sovereignty.”
(Economy India)
