Government Is Keen on Rolling Out 5G Services in India at Par With the World by 2020: Manoj Sinha

NDCP 2018 Has Been Placed Before Cabinet for Approval

The new telecom policy is likely to be placed before the Cabinet for approval on Wednesday, according to official sources. “We need massive investments in developing newer technologies which are accessible and affordable for the people. We are poised to become the third largest economy in the world over the next two decades. It is the most opportune moment for the investors across the world to invest in India,” Sinha said.

He said there have been some upheaval in the last 2-3 years with mergers and acquisitions and a couple of unfortunate insolvency proceedings but “worst is now behind us”.

“As we move from telecom to digital India, it is pertinent to mention that the draft Digital Communications Policy 2018 aims to attract of USD 100 billion in the sector. India has announced plans to launch 5G service by 2020 which provides big investment opportunity,” Sinha said.

Telecom Secretary Aruna Sundararajan said the sector had been a poster of the Indian economy in the past and once the sector stabilises from the current financial stress situation, it will regain the same status.

“If we put our act together, we can attract USD 100 billion FDI and enhance the share of telecom sector in GDP from 6.35 per cent to 8%,” Sundararajan said. Further, the Department of Telecom Special Secretary N Sivasailam said that if the telecom companies in the country want to grow, they need to look at investing in overseas markets as well.

“We have players from other markets present in India, but we don’t have a presence there. Our investments abroad will leverage debt. That is how wealth is created. It is time to look into it,” Sivasailam said.