"Since 1983, I have been a part of India's telecom story," said Sunil Bharti Mittal, Chairman of Bharti Airtel, during his inaugural speech at the India Mobile Congress (IMC) 2024. "India has not only launched the fastest 5G networks in urban areas but is also extending coverage to villages and rural areas. More network rollouts are happening every day and every month. Within the next 12 to 18 months, every part of the country will be connected through a powerful 5G network," Mittal said.
Semiconductor Manufacturing
He continued by saying, India has now dialed up its ambitions to become a semiconductor destination as well. The government of India has initiated several programs to start the process of manufacturing semiconductors in the country. Global alliances are being formed, and India and the US have recently signed a critical technology partnership. India has also signed partnerships with France, the UK, Japan, and many other leading countries, including Taiwan, to establish semiconductor operations here.
Space and Satellite Services
"The opening up of the space industry to the private sector, which to my mind, is another significant development India is seeing."
It's almost impossible for terrestrial services to cover every square inch of any country, as well as our oceans and skies. In the past, similar to 2G, we had VSATs connecting some critical areas at very slow, 2G-type dial-up speeds. With the launch of LEO (Low Earth Orbit) networks, we now have the possibility to provide 4G kind of speeds and massive capacities to those who have been left behind.
Universal Service Obligation (USO)
India has 95 percent of its population covered, but they live in only 75 percent of the areas. There are around five percent of people who reside in remote areas, such as mountains, forests, and deep rural areas, where the Universal Service Obligation (USO) is trying to catch up and provide the services.
"I want to assure the Prime Minister that with the launch of satcom services in this country, anyone—regardless of how remote or challenging their conditions maybe—will be able to connect to a fast-speed internet network using voice, data, or video, just as they would on a 4G or 5G network," Mittal said.
Also Read: Airtel Reaffirms Commitment to Satcom Services for Rural Connectivity
Collaboration and Regulation
"However, there is now a debate going on across the world. Intertemporal choices will have to be made as to how satellite services which are moving fast and technologies need to coexist with terrestrial networks," Mittal said.
"Telecom companies around the globe have done a seminal work in connecting the world. They will expand satellite services to remote areas of nations through the USO program and directly through their own efforts. Satellite firms ambitious to serve urban premium markets or retail markets just need to take the telecom licenses and buy spectrum under the same conditions as telecom operators. Secure the networks as telecom companies do. This simple solution which can be done on a global scale, with India poised to lead the way," Mittal said while speaking during the inaugural of the World Telecommunication Standardisation Assembly (WTSA-24) and India Mobile Congress.
Airtel's Commitment
Airtel has been at the forefront of India's telecom revolution. It has stood the test of time. It has seen the journey right from the time of 2G and dial-up modems to where we are in India today, creating a digital revolution that the world is seeing.
Bharti Airtel will be a very responsible company while building these fanciful networks. It will be responsible toward its customers and stakeholders, and I'm glad that Airtel took the initiative to launch India's first anti-spam network, Mittal continued.
Airtel has launched India's first anti-spam network, effectively blocking billions of scam calls and fraudulent messages to protect our customers. We are now collaborating with the industry and the Department of Telecom to ensure that our users can enjoy these services safely and securely while using these networks, Mittal added.
"Honourable Prime Minister, Bharti Airtel will play its role in your vision of building a powerful India," Mittal concluded his speech.
