Indian Telecom Ranks Among World’s Top 3, Says Minister Scindia
Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia announced that Indian telecom services have secured a position among the top three globally, with ongoing initiatives to further enhance service quality and connectivity nationwide.
Key Developments
- India’s telecom services now rank among top 3 globally
- Stricter Quality of Service monitoring implemented from October 1
- 86% of telecom rollout issues resolved, 533 pending cases being addressed
- 6 GHz spectrum de-licensed to boost Wi-Fi proliferation
- Spectrum Refarming 2.0 underway to meet 2030 requirements
Enhanced Quality of Service Monitoring
The government has implemented stricter Quality of Service (QoS) norms effective October 1, marking a significant shift in monitoring approach. Telecom regulator TRAI now measures service quality at the more detailed cell level instead of the broader circle level.
“It will not be an exaggeration to say that Indian telecom services are among top 3 nations and our efforts are on to improve them further,” stated Minister Scindia.
Telecom operators have submitted their initial reports under the new monitoring system, with ongoing discussions to address areas where service quality falls below prescribed benchmarks.
Spectrum Initiatives and Connectivity Boost
In a major move to enhance digital connectivity, the government has de-licensed the lower frequency range in the 6 GHz band spectrum. This decision eliminates licensing fees for companies using these frequencies, enabling ultra-low latency, higher speeds, and reduced costs for digital services.
The Committee of Secretaries is currently reviewing Spectrum Refarming 2.0 to address the telecom sector’s growing demands. Scindia revealed significant progress: “Close to 687 MHz from defence and other sectors has been given to the telecom sector under the re-farm umbrella.”
While the sector requires 2,000 MHz by 2030, authorities have secured 1,587 MHz (900 MHz + 687 MHz), with efforts focused on acquiring the remaining 432 MHz. Satellite communication services rollout is also progressing, pending clarifications from TRAI.
Accelerated Network Expansion
The government has accelerated resolution of telecom network rollout challenges across states. Substantial progress has been achieved, with 1,882 out of 2,415 issues resolved since February – representing 86% completion rate.
“Almost 86 percent of the pain points have been resolved,” Scindia confirmed, adding that authorities are working with state governments to address the remaining 533 pending issues.
Addressing connectivity gaps, Scindia clarified that a GSMA report indicating only 47% of Indians are connected primarily refers to individuals without smartphones. He expressed confidence that increasing availability of low-cost handsets will gradually bridge this connectivity gap.
