Indian telecom service providers need more spectrum and incentives to accelerate the speed of data revolution.
At the Broadband Tech India 2014 event in Delhi, main stakeholders of the mobile industry shared several suggestions to improve the broadband market.
“Data tariff is expected to reduce further with the scaling up of data services by way of innovation and surge in content,” said AK Bhargava, advisor – Technology, Department of Telecommunications, Ministry of Communications & IT, Government of India.
He said the India Government is in favor of reducing data tariff, as the country is getting ready for 3G and 4G spectrum auctions.
Established telecom operators such as Bharti Airtel, Idea Cellular, Vodafone India, etc. are gearing up to spectrum auction early next year though the debate between telecom regulator TRAI and DoT (Department of Telecommunications) is currently going on.
Shyam P Mardikar, chief – Strategy, Architecture & Engineering, Bharti Airtel
With the increase in the availability of spectrum, data service will explode as fiber to site is being laid simultaneously. This will result in more public-private projects which will meet the needs of all sections of the society.
Rajan Mathews, director general, Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI)
India will witness a growth of 35 to 45 percent in voice and data traffic. Companies had to reorient services in terms of mobility to expand at a greater pace. High government charges will act as a constraint in the growth of mobile service. The USO Fund contribution should be reduced to one percent of revenues instead of the current five percent.
Vinit Goenka, national co convener, IT Cell, Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP)
BJP is aiming at creating digital literacy countrywide so that there could be a direct communication between the government and citizens at all levels. The digital revolution would be realized when the last villager buys his grocery online.
Vipin Tyagi, executive director, Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DOT)
With imports of digital equipment is set to grow to $100 million by 2017, C-DoT, the research organization of the DoT, is making significant contributions to Make in India campaign.
Sameer Rawal, director – Strategy & Marketing, Huawei India
New government has shown promise but there is further scope for facilitating policy environment for enhancing Broadband penetration to cover 30 percent of our population by 2016 to optimally leverage technology and achieve throughputs at lower costs. All stakeholders (Government, Policy makers, Regulators, Service Providers and Equipment manufacturers need work together and collaborate to make it a success.
editor@telecomlead.com
