The government has come out with a draft new telecom policy which aims to rationalise levies, including spectrum charges to rejuvenate the debt-ridden telecom sector. Apart from this, it also proposes to give broadband access to all with 50 mbps speed, 5G services and create 40 lakh new jobs in the sector by 2022. The draft policy branded as 'National Digital Communications Policy 2018' also aims to attract $100 billion in the digital communications sector by 2022 with help of regulatory reforms and enhance the contribution of digital communications to 8% of India’s GDP from about 6% in 2017.
Under the new policy, the government aims to enable fixed line broadband access to 50 percent of households and start landline portability services. It also proposes to adopt ‘Optimal Pricing of Spectrum’ to ensure sustainable and affordable access to digital communications. High spectrum price and related charges have been main concern of telecom services segment which is reeling under a debt of around Rs 7.8 lakh crore.
Additionally, the draft policy proposes recognising of mid-band spectrum, particularly the 3 GHz to 24 GHz range, for next-generation networks. It also promises to remove regulatory barriers and reduce the regulatory burden that hampers investments, innovation and consumer interest. Besides, it proposed to rationalise taxes and levies on digital communications equipment, infrastructure and services.