Devusinh Chauhan, union minister of state for communications
The Indian telecom sector has received global recognition for its record 5G network roll-out pace and the deployment of digital infrastructure and services. Continuous advancements in cutting-edge technologies continue to facilitate digitalisation and the growth of the overall economy. As the industry works towards bridging the digital divide in the country, innovations in 6G technology have also begun to make India a global leader in the next generation of networks. Devusinh Chauhan, union minister of state for communications, spoke about the growth of the telecom sector and various government initiatives at different events during the past year. Edited excerpts from some of his addresses…
Growth of the telecom sector
India has grown in various aspects on the telecom front, including the Atmanirbhar Bharat mission, 5G roll-out and the roadmap for 6G. Telecom connectivity is playing a crucial role in the socio-economic development of the country, propelled by telecom reforms. The gross revenue of telecom service providers (TSPs) crossed Rs 3 trillion for the first time during 2022-23. The growth of the sector can be attributed to various structural and procedural reforms implemented by the government in the past few years to promote healthy competition, infuse liquidity, encourage investments, reduce the regulatory burden on telcos and protect the interests of consumers. The government has rationalised the definition of adjusted gross revenue, allowed spectrum trading and sharing, permitted 100 per cent foreign direct investment, and ensured adequate spectrum through open and transparent auctions.
4G and last-mile connectivity
About 250,000 villages in the country have been connected with optical fibre, and 400,000 villages will be connected with high speed broadband networks soon. However, under the 4G saturation project, about 38,000-40,000 villages do not have telecom signals. To address this, the government aims to connect every uncovered village with 4G networks by 2024. This will lead to socio-economic transformation and bridge the digital divide. Citizens in the last mile will be able to check the accountability of the government once they are digitally connected. Connecting villages digitally means connecting people with democratic values.
The Universal Service Obligation [USO] Fund and BharatNet initiatives have played an important role in bridging the digital divide and providing last-mile connectivity. More than 600,000 villages have been connected with 4G and 200,000 gram panchayats with optical fibre, which has brought digital inclusion. The BharatNet project is being implemented in a phased manner to provide broadband connectivity to all gram panchayats in the country. In August 2023, the Union Cabinet approved amendments to the programme, encompassing the upgradation of the existing network for BharatNet Phase I and Phase II, network establishment in the remaining 42,000 gram panchayats, and operation and maintenance for 10 years. Further, due to various reforms introduced by the Department of Telecommunications, inclusive development infrastructure has been established to provide ease of living, ease of doing business and citizen-centric services.
5G roll-out
India has seen one of the fastest 5G roll-outs in the world. As of November 24, 2023, 5G networks have been rolled out in 738 districts across the country and a total of 394,298 base stations have been installed, with around 100 million subscribers using 5G services. TSPs have also committed a total investment of over Rs 2 trillion, including a commitment of Rs 1.5 trillion for spectrum acquired through auction in July-August 2022.
We have designed and developed 4G and 5G under the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative. Population-scale solutions are being tested on indigenous 4G/5G stacks across sectors such as healthcare, agriculture, smart manufacturing, education, gaming, and drones. Further use cases of 5G should be explored to demonstrate its transformative impact on various sectors such as agriculture, education, logistics, transportation, and animal husbandry. Reliance Jio’s stack is being extensively deployed in rolling out its 5G network. These indigenous technology stacks could be exported to other countries in the future.
6G targets
In order to take the lead in 6G technology, the government has constituted the Bharat 6G Mission to lay down the objectives of 6G, suggest research and innovation pathways for exploration, and periodically review the progress of the Bharat 6G Vision. India has filed patents relating to 6G technology, primarily focusing on radio and core components. Further, the government is investing in indigenous capabilities to drive the development of this ultra-high speed wireless broadband technology. Furthermore, the Bharat 6G Alliance, a joint initiative of industry, academia, national research institutions and standards organisations, has been launched to promote an ecosystem for research, design, development and intellectual property rights creation around 6G technology. The Bharat 6G Alliance has also signed an MoU with the Next G Alliance of the US to explore collaboration opportunities in 6G wireless technologies.
6G technology is estimated to be ready for commercial deployment in India by 2030. With data speeds potentially reaching 100 Gbps, it is expected to be a hundred times faster than 5G. We will design and develop 6G and take it to the global stage in collaboration with the International Telecommunication Union and the 3rd Generation Partnership Project. This will be driven not only by the government but also by the industry and academia.
PLI scheme
The production-linked incentive (PLI) scheme for telecom equipment and networking products manufacturing was launched in June 2021 and within a short span it has catalysed the production of telecom equipment in India. Under the scheme, the government has received Rs 27.25 billion in investments as of end-October 2023, out of the total Rs 40.14 billion committed by 42 applicant companies. Of the Rs 2.37 trillion incremental sales committed by applicants, as much as Rs 389.99 billion had already been realised by the said date. Further, products worth Rs 88.04 billion had been exported under the scheme as of end October 2023. The scheme has also generated approximately 15,561 fresh jobs against the targeted 44,494.
Global leadership in digital services
India has extensive experience in deploying information and communication technologies in remote and rural areas. We are always ready to share our best practices with the world. As part of its Digital India initiative, the country has created robust digital infrastructure that goes beyond citizen-centric e-governance to ensure the financial inclusion of every citizen. The country continues to record the highest real-time digital financial transactions in the world, which is a shining example of India’s digital initiatives.
Right of way
The government amended the Indian Telegraph Right of Way [RoW] Rules, enabling the deployment of 5G small cells and optical fibre cable on existing street infrastructure. It also rationalised the fees and charges paid by telcos for RoW permissions.
Plans for BSNL
State-owned Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) is gearing up to offer 4G services and work is on in full swing to bring these services to consumers soon. With the group of ministers approving the deployment of 100,000 BSNL 4G sites, 4G work is under way and various sites have been identified. The government is keen that the services commence soon.
Financially, BSNL is expected to witness a turnaround, generating a net profit in financial year 2026-27, with the implementation of the approved revival measures. The revival packages approved by the Union Cabinet will help BSNL strengthen its telecom services, facilitate the mission of providing digital connectivity in rural areas, and help the domestic manufacturing industry.
Initiatives under the TTDF
The government has launched the Telecom Technology Development Fund (TTDF), allocating 5 per cent of annual collections from the USO Fund to finance the research and development of new technologies, products and services. Under the TTDF, two proposals for test beds have been approved. These are the 6G THz test bed, established through a consortium comprising the Society for Applied Microwave Electronics Engineering and Research, IIT Madras, IIT Guwahati, and IIT Patna; and an advanced optical communication test bed, with consortium members such as IIT Madras, IIT Delhi and other academic institutions.
Technological innovation
Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasises the utilisation of various technological innovations to advance the nations development. There is a critical need to modernise India’s telecom networks by implementing advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence and machine learning in an efficient and timely manner. Digital transformation is essential for fostering an inclusive and equitable society, promoting sustainable development, and empowering citizens through digital means. I encourage young engineers and entrepreneurs to innovate relentlessly in order to realise the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat and develop cutting-edge technological applications for the larger benefit of citizens across the country.
