Government needs right content: Pilot

NEW DELHI, INDIA: As the mobile value-added services (MVAS) are expected to become a multi-billion dollar market in the next few years, the government sees it as a major facilitator to citizen-centric services.

The Ministry of Communications and IT is eyeing at localized applications and content for the delivery of m-services.

Speaking on the sidelines of an industry event in New Delhi on Wednesday, Sachin Pilot, Minister of State for Communications and IT, said that 90 per cent of the revenue in the telecom services is coming from voice-based services which will change soon, as there is a shift towards value-added services.

“The mobile user base, which is close to 800 million, is phenomenal but 400 million people have not used the device today. We have to create a demand for these individuals to get access to the device,” he said.

A recent study by Voice&Data, based on TRAI statistics, the number of real active mobile users in the country has just crossed 500 million, which further underscores the demand for mobile services in the country.

Pilot, however, said the teledensity in the country owes it a lot to cheap call rates. “As the devices keep coming out, the need is to create programs and applications as per requirements.”

Acknowledging the turf war between service operators and MVAS providers, Pilot said VAS providers are relying on telecom service providers (TSPs), although there is an apparent conflict as the data is growing multifold.

“The government needs the right content so that people can have access to it and facilitate high yield in low-cost,” he commented, adding that the mobile banking is the key area.

Stressing on the need to develop content for the government-driven services, Pilot said it is imperative to develop the content for government agencies as well as local bodies, housing department and transportation sector, and it is the right time to take such initiatives.

“The government is ready to support industry so as to keep India ahead of the curve. Through industry initiatives and government support, we should move together to build a robust society,” added Pilot.