Jyotiraditya M. Scindia, Union Minister of Communications and Development of North Eastern Region, has inaugurated the 25th meeting of the South Asian Telecommunication Regulators’ Council (SATRC-25) in New Delhi.
The event, organised by Asia-Pacific Telecommunity (APT) and hosted by Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI), brought together experts, international delegates, industry representatives, and service providers from across the region to discuss telecommunication regulations and policy challenges.
The three-day meeting, from November 11 to November 13, 2024, will focus on issues such as radio frequency coordination, telecommunication development strategies, regulatory trends, and international telecommunication affairs.
In his keynote address, Scindia said, “As India emerges as the Voice of the Global South, the SATRC-25 will serve as an excellent platform for knowledge-sharing and a confluence of innovative perspectives on emerging policy and regulatory challenges.” As per him, secure, safe and standard driven future should guide the creation of policies by regulatory bodies.
Scindia underscored India’s leadership in digital infrastructure development, highlighting the country’s commitment to expanding broadband access, enhancing regulatory frameworks, and promoting an inclusive digital ecosystem.
He stated, “With an extraordinary 1.2 billion telephones and 970 million internet subscribers, India emerges as a digital titan, characterised by a rapidly evolving digital economy now comprising 10 per cent of our overall economic landscape, an impressive leap from just 3.5 per cent a decade ago. As our digital economy flourishes at a pace 2.8 times swifter than the national economy, we anticipate it will reach an astounding 20 per cent by 2026-27.”
He further urged SATRC member nations to collaborate on key issues such as digital inclusivity, sustainable network infrastructure, and consumer protection. “South Asia must unite in its efforts to build a connected, resilient, and sustainable future,” he noted.
Scindia also pointed out that South Asia plays a crucial role in global ICT development and stressed the need for regulations that inspire innovation while ensuring inclusivity. Talking about new technological advancements, he shared, “The advent of non-terrestrial networks (NTNs) presents a transformative opportunity to extend telecom coverage to the most remote corners of our nations. I am optimistic that the evolution of NTNs will unlock new vistas in communication technologies, igniting innovative applications across diverse sectors, and ultimately advancing our collective journey towards the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs).”
Meanwhile, Dr Chandra Sekhar Pemmasani, Minister of State for Communications and Minister of State for Rural Development, reiterated the transformative power of telecommunications in empowering individuals and communities. He highlighted India’s commitment to driving digital transformation across South Asia, while calling for regulatory policies that balance innovation with consumer protection.
Further, Masanori Kondo, secretary general of APT, opened the session with a welcome address emphasising the APT’s mission to support a sustainable and inclusive digital ecosystem throughout Asia. He called for regional cooperation to create harmonised policies that facilitate seamless communication and drive economic growth.
Anil Kumar Lahoti, chairman, TRAI, also welcomed the gathering on behalf of TRAI, emphasising India’s role in fostering cross-border partnerships to ensure equitable access to digital resources and bridge the digital divide.
Furthermore, Major General (Retired) Mohammad Emdad Ul Bari, chairman, Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission and chair of SATRC, reflected on SATRC’s two decades of progress and expressed optimism for future cooperation in the region, leveraging digital transformation to improve citizens’ lives across South Asia.
