Vaishnaw seeks suggestions for reforms in telecom sector

Telecom Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Wednesday sought suggestions from industry stakeholders to usher in more reforms in the sector and place Indian regulatory framework at par with the best in the world.

While speaking at India Mobile Congress event, Vaishnaw invited views of telecom players to spread digital connectivity across the country for inclusive development.

“We want to benchmark our regulatory framework with the best in the world. We want industry to keep adding value to the people. So I request all of you through this conference, please come up with new suggestions. Please come up with suggestions of the regulatory framework. We are open to more reforms,” Vaishnaw said.

Ambani wants faster 5G rollout

Speaking at the event, Mukesh Ambani pitched for India making the rollout of 5G technology standard for broadband cellular networks as a national priority to support the digital revolution. He said India must complete the migration from 2G to 4G and 5G at the earliest.

“To keep millions of Indians at the bottom of the socio-economic pyramid confined to 2G is to deprive them of the benefits of the digital revolution,” he said.

Avoid further litigation

Bharti Airtel chairman Sunil Mittal said the regulatory regime needs to be simple to avoid fresh litigations in the sector and pitched for a reduction in spectrum pricing and lower duties.
Mittal noted that a lot of litigations remain in the telecom sector and added that new cases must be avoided. “I would also like to request the government that one area where we need to lower the temperature of our industry is really the area of litigation…a lot of litigation still remains,” Mittal observed.

“We must have a regime, which is simple in its regulatory touch and does not create more litigations, going forward. This will release the energy of the industry,” he said.