The draft National Telecom Policy 2011 needs a clear roadmap specifying timetables and clarifying issues related to spectrum management and pricing, according to industry leaders who spoke at the National Telecom Summit 2011 on Friday. The meeting, organized by the Confederation of Indian Industry, saw top telecom industry leaders and telecom officials expressing their views on the future of telecom sector in India.
Sam Pitroda, an adviser to India’s prime minister on public information infrastructure and innovations, said the second phase of the telecom revolution was set to begin and the NTP sought to focus on broadband, rural telecom and domestic manufacturing, research, applications and localization. Saying that earlier models had become outdated, Pitroda outlined a scenario of open connectivity based on robust platforms and open-source software.
Telecom Secretary R. Chandrashekhar presented a brief overview of the NTP and said that the “key focus of the policy was to derive the multiplier benefit of technology”.
“The twin stress on broadband and rural connectivity in the policy was coupled with a key role for the private sector in the areas of telecom and IT,” Chandrashekhar said.
Talking about spectrum, he said the way forward was to let market forces prevail and ensure that artificial impediments are removed.
Bharti Airtel CEO Sanjay Kapoor also made a point on the spectrum issue and noted that it cannot be divided in terms of technology.
“This only creates room for arbitrage,” he said while requesting a level playing field.
Kapoor also called for a transparent telecom regulatory environment which can help telcos operate with less difficulties and also inspire investors confidence.
Echoing that view, Tata Communications Chairman Subodh Bhargava said that the policy must aim at business certainty to encourage investors and enable long-term planning. For example, he said, the Department of Telecommunication “needs to move fast and auction more 4G spectrum to create a level playing field.”
