Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) secretary S.K Gupta has said that India is poised to play a decisive role in the new era of 5G, given inherent strengths in digital and software capabilities, while liberal FDI regime, progressive manufacturing programmes, and resolve for self-reliance would usher large investments and growth in the telecom market.
Gupta said the heavy dependence on the import of telecom equipment has been a point of concern, given financial impact and security implications, and a well-planned and focused approach on indigenous production will be the way forward. He also said this particularly so, as existing global supply chains are getting disrupted and new opportunities are emerging in telecom development. He said ‘while there has been an exponential growth of telecom networks, we are hugely dependent on the import of telecom equipment'. He pointed out that telecom imports have been in the range of 1 lakh crore plus every year which is a point of concern.
TRAI secretary further said the focus now is on boosting the production of equipment in India and becoming self-reliant. He noted that import of telecom equipment not only has an adverse financial impact but also raises security concerns. He stated that the risk associated with the concentration of supply chain in a few geographies have attracted the attention of world leaders. He added that the existing wide base of telecom and internet subscribers, affordable broadband services, combined with the power of advanced technologies like cloud, Artificial Intelligence, and platforms are paving the way for a digitally-strong ‘new India’.
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