Will the New Telecom Policy be the answer to the many ills plaguing telecom sector?

Aseem ManchandaCNBC Awaaz

Department of Telecom constituted 12 working groups to draw a roadmap

The long-standing issue of net neutrality in the country may be resolved in the New Telecom Policy, expected to be released in March 2018.  The government has set up a working group to give its recommendations on this issue.

The Department of Telecom constituted 12 working groups to create a framework for the New Telecom Policy. These working groups will suggest various measures and initiatives for the long-term growth of telecom sector.

The government has asked these groups to suggest long-term initiatives required for promoting Digital India, new technology, licensing framework, Make in India, infrastructure, spectrum management, consumer protection and legislative frameworks. Soon, these core groups will interact with the telecom industry, stakeholders, associations, financial organisations, and other institutions to seek their comments before finalising their recommendations. The department has given them a deadline of November 15 to submit their report.

Telecom industry pinning hopes on NTP

The telecom sector currently is facing numerous challenges. Spectrum is expensive and there are high levies and taxes on the sector. The industry has also to deal with old regulations.

How the new policy will help

This new policy will focus on suggesting a roadmap for upcoming technologies such as 5G ecosystem, cloud, OTT, and Internet of Things. On the spectrum side, the policy will draw a roadmap on the efficient use of spectrum, its trading, sharing and also surrendering it. Harmonisation of spectrum, availability and audit of spectrum is also on the policy agenda. On the data security aspect, the policy aims at subscribers' privacy, network security and suggesting measures to design secure government network. On the legislative framework the policy intends to amend the Indian Telegraph Act, Indian Wirless Act, and TRAI Act.

Why the New Policy

The present telecom policy was designed in 2012. The government feels that policy has achieved its objectives. “Whether it is broadband spectrum, internet adoption, data protection or cyber security, what was applicable five years ago was no more relevant in today’s context. A new policy is the need of the hour and it will have to be futuristic,” Telecom Minister Manoj Sinha had said earlier.

According to Manoj Sinha: “We need to think of and prepare for an ecosystem where Internet of Things (IoT) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) are mainstream and connectivity is seamless, designed to improve the quality of e-governance and education as well as to enable financial inclusion, smart cities and an intelligent transportation system, amongst other things.”