Advanced Digital Communications Technologies Toolkit for India: Study Findings and Recommendations

I am proud to have served as Advisor Digital Communications at NITI Aayog after being a senior advisor (Sr. DDG and Officer on Special Duty) to the Chairperson of the Digital Communications Commission for two and a half years. I was able to make significant contributions to digital regulation in India including Right of Way regulation, Satellite Communications and the advancement of 5G.

The Report of the Advanced Digital Communications Technologies Toolkit for India initiated by my team at NITI Aayog, and sponsored by the ICT delegation of the European Union to India, was presented by the project team in a virtual workshop held on 2.12.21 and attended by officials, industry and experts from the EU, India, Sri Lanka and Bhutan. I am glad I spearheaded the project and participated in the discussion on ‘Study Findings and Recommendations.’ which contains an excellent, duly referenced description of the best practices that have led to the rapid deployment of digital communications technologies in the EU and has many useful recommendations for India and our neighbours. It recognises India’s strengths and potential and outlines many areas for mutual learning, collaboration and cooperation among the regions in the areas of 5G and beyond. Along with principle-based regulation of communications technologies with a strong emphasis on competition, innovation, and the many useful applications of 5G. The report covers the importance of skilling populations appropriately to ensure consumer protection and trust and suggests a way forward in this regard.