Telecom policy rings in new cheer

NEW DELHI, INDIA: The Cellular Operators Associaton of India (COAI) feels the proposed telecom policy will facilitate transparency. “We support the new policy draft that will bring the industry back on track,” said Rajan S Mathews, Director General, COAI.

Mathews also said that the association has put in a lot of effort and energy together with DoT to bring out such a policy that could prove to be a milestone. He, however, said that  the COAI is reviewing it.

The Association of India Communication Multimedia and Infrastructure (CMAI) also gave thumps up to the new draft policy. “This policy was long overdue. The steps taken by the government that include 100 per cent penetration by 2020; revision of broadband speed; and transparency in spectrum allocation coupled with other initiatives are good,” said N K Goyal, President, CMAI.

Goyal also said that the proposed electronic service delivery Bill and local manufacturing will usher India into global leadership position.

Equally buyont, WiMAX Forum said this draft is vital for telecom services. “We are extremely glad as government has unveiled a progressive and forward looking policy,” said Shyam Kaushal, regional director (India), WiMAX Forum.

Kaushal also said that the government’s desire to deal with spectrum issues is commendable. “Allowing commercial pricing in accordance with market is a good step,” he added.

Welcoming the new draft, the ITU-APT Foundation of India said that 100 per cent penetration of telephony is possible only when multiple technologies are put together. “With the help of USO fund, the government should leverage radio and fiber technologies to accomplish the goal,” said Dr Roop N Bharadwaj, executive member of the ITU-APT Foundation of India.

The foundation, however, said that allowing single operator for all services might vanish the small operators, service providers and entrepreneurs, and hence the desired results couldn’t be achieved. “There should be a collaboration between various mechanisms, processes and infrastructure to realize the dream by 2020,” Bharadwaj said.