According to the Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI), artificial intelligence (AI) and 6G have been identified as the key growth areas for the telecom sector.
Many corporations across India are already integrating AI into their technology frameworks to enhance efficiency and reduce costs. The government’s ongoing initiatives, such as the Bharat 6G Vision, aim for India to produce 10 per cent of global 6G patents and are currently reviewing 470 proposals focused on accelerating research in the 6G ecosystem.
However, despite these growth opportunities, challenges persist. COAI has emphasised that large traffic generators (LTGs), primarily over-the-top (OTT) platforms, should contribute to the Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF), similar to telecom operators. This is due to the significant investments required by telcos to manage the traffic generated by LTGs, while the revenue benefits primarily accrue to the LTGs. Furthermore, much of this revenue is processed outside India, resulting in lost tax revenue for the government.
Additionally, COAI has called for regulations on OTT communication and highlighted the necessity for telcos to access spectrum in the 6 GHz band to support future 5G and 6G services. Another significant challenge is the stringent Quality of Service (QoS) norms imposed by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI).
