Editorial . . . .
The Indian telecom industry has a multiplier effect on the economy; it is experiencing growth and is a key factor in the nation’s economic development and social transformation. According to the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI), India is currently the world’s 2nd largest telecommunication market with an overall teledensity of 85.11% (July 2022). The country’s internet and broadband penetration is rising steadily, supporting the government’s Digital India effort, and just India has entered the 5G race. There are still certain gaps, though, including expensive right-of-way prices, a low level of contemporary telecom infrastructure penetration in rural areas, data privacy, and improper e-waste disposal. As a result, India needs a strict legal system to regulate communications. With 1.20 billion subscribers, India is currently the second-largest telecommunications market in the world and has had rapid expansion over the past 15 years. By 2025, India will likely overtake China as the world’s second-largest smartphone market. The telecom industry makes a considerable contribution to the government’s non-tax revenue (via spectrum auctions, one-time fee from new operators and recurring licence fees and spectrum charges). The Digital India programme is also largely dependent on this sector. 100% Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) is currently permitted in the telecom sector using the automated mechanism. One Nation Full Mobile Number Portability (MNP has been approved. The users can now change their licence service area while keeping their mobile number thanks to this. BharatNet, to connect each of India’s 2.5 lakh Gram Panchayats through an optical fibre network, the government is putting the flagship BharatNet project into action (in phases). The world’s largest initiative of its kind, this one focuses on rural connectivity. The GOI just launched 5G in India, which would not only improve communication technology but also provide initiatives like “Digital India” and “Smart Cities” with a new perspective. The Indian government has stated intentions to include Over-the-Top (OTT) communication services inside the definition of “telecommunication services,” which implies that both OTT and internet-based communications would need a licence to provide services.
The proposal also establishes guidelines for the sharing, trading, leasing, return, and surrender of the unutilized spectrum. Although adequate teledensity has been attained, there is a sizable gap between India’s urban (55.42%) and rural (44.58%) areas in terms of the percentage of telecom users. Furthermore, the country has one of the lowest fixed broadband penetration rates in the world (1.69 per 100 residents). Due to inconsistent and complicated legal processes in different states, non-uniform levies, and permissions from the Forest Department, Railways, and National Highway Authority that add to paperwork delays, the Right of Way has been a difficult issue for the Indian telecoms sector. This delay has impacted numerous planning and rollout procedures for towers and fibre across the nation. To offer services like voice calls and SMS, OTT platforms like Whatsapp and Telegram rely on the network infrastructure of telecom service providers like Airtel and Jio.
The telecom business has a variety of negative effects on the environment, including the production of e-waste. In India, informal waste pickers illegally recycle over 95% of the country’s e-waste. India’s data consumption is expanding quickly, and the absence of fibre networks is limiting telecoms’ capacity to provide dependable and fast connectivity. 16 times as much fibre will be required in India for a seamless transition to 5G. Digital inclusion leads to social inclusion since the Internet does not discriminate and is a shining example of democracy. Social inclusion can be achieved in India through developing the telecom infrastructure and connecting the disconnected areas online. There is need to expedite the Right of Way procedure, a cooperative institutional structure should be built between the Centre, States/UTs, and Local Bodies through a single window. Moreover, prioritizing research and development in the telecom industry is necessary in order to foster conditions that will allow India to manufacture and export hardware components like mobile phones, CCTV cameras, touch screen monitors, and other items, turning the nation into a manufacturing and exporting hub.