2024-Telecom agenda

As 2023 closes on the heels of two mega transformative events in the Indian telecom sector – One, the scrapping of the 138-year old Indian Telegraph Act 1885 and associated legislations and second, the path breaking decisions at the just concluded ITU World Radio Conference in Dubai – The spotlight is now on the 2024 ambitious and comprehensive reforms in implementing these two Acts, to make India a global leader in the telecom sector.

The new Telecommunications Act 2023 passed by the Indian Parliament in December 2023 and signed into law by the Hon’ble President of India on the X’mas eve on December 24, 2023 aligns the country’s broader vision for a digital and connected future with the legal framework and reinforces the significance of a robust and technologically advanced telecom infrastructure in the contemporary global landscape. At the forefront of India’s telecom agenda for 2024 is the Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Digital India vision, which represents a comprehensive initiative aimed at transforming India into a digitally empowered society and knowledge economy. The vision encompasses various sectors, leveraging technology to bring about inclusive growth, improved governance, and enhanced citizen services.

The key component of the 2024 telecom agenda is the implementation of the new Telecom Act to support an ambitious program aimed at furthering the digital inclusion and bringing make in India at the forefront of the digital revolution. The telecom sector will continue to play a pivotal role in realizing India’s digital vision by expanding broadband connectivity to rural areas, bridging the digital divide, and ensuring affordable internet access for all. Special emphasis is placed on leveraging technology to enhance e-governance services, healthcare delivery, and educational platforms. This will include new spectrum auctions, revised policy framework for licensing of captive 5G networks to support make in India initiatives, Delicensing of new spectrum bands in lower 6Ghz and V band to enhance technology innovation. The new Telecom Law opens ambitious opportunities in these areas.

By opening the administrative licensing of spectrum for Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites under the GMPCS category in the new telecom law, the year 2024 opens new opportunities for LEO satellites that offer lower latency and higher data transfer speeds, thus providing connectivity in remote and underserved regions by deploying vast constellations of LEO satellites and ensuring widespread and reliable internet access in remote and inaccessible areas. By eliminating the need for extensive ground infrastructure, LEO satellites make broadband services more accessible, cost-effective, and efficient, thereby bridging the digital divide and empowering communities with enhanced connectivity for education, healthcare, and economic opportunities.

At the forefront of India’s telecom agenda for 2024 is to further accelerate the rollout of true 5G technology. The fifth-generation wireless technology promises unprecedented speed, low latency, and increased connectivity. The government envisions 5G as a catalyst for innovation across sectors, including healthcare, education, and industry. Spectrum auctions, policy frameworks, and infrastructure development are key components of the plan to make India 6G-ready. Growth of 5G depends on timely availability of key frequency spectrum, particularly the mid band spectrum. Recent ITU WRC-23 identified several new frequency bands in 4-15 GHz range for studies and it is critical for India to be engaged in these studies so that vast swaths of mid band spectrum becomes available in time for 5G-Advanced and 6G.

India’s telecom agenda for 2024 should also include the implementation of critical spectrum reforms included in the new Telecom Law. Spectrum pricing policies need to be reviewed to strike a balance between revenue generation for the government and affordability for telecom operators, fostering a conducive environment for investment and growth. It is also important to initiate new spectrum reforms for telecom operators to permit easy exchange and optimization of their spectrum holdings.

Recognizing the importance of robust infrastructure, the new year agenda should also include substantial investments in the expansion and modernization of telecom infrastructure, including the deployment of fiber-optic networks to enhance backhaul connectivity, the establishment of telecom towers in remote areas, and the development of smart cities with state-of-the-art communication infrastructure. The new initiatives in the Telecom Act 2023 on the Right of Way issues need urgent implementation.

A transparent and efficient regulatory framework is pivotal for the sustainable growth of the telecom sector. The 2024 agenda should include a review of existing regulations to eliminate bottlenecks and foster a competitive environment. Streamlining licensing processes, particularly for the captive licenses, ensuring fair competition, and protecting consumer interests are key objectives to create an environment conducive to innovation and investment.