🔊 Take a moment and listen

Minister for Communications, Jyotiraditya M. Scindia, inaugurated the 25th South Asian Telecommunication Regulators’ Council (SATRC) Meeting in New Delhi today. Addressing a distinguished assembly of regulators and affiliate members from SATRC countries, including Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Iran, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka, Scindia emphasized the need for collaborative policy-making to create a “secure, safe, and standard-driven future.”

He highlighted India’s role as a digital powerhouse, stating, “With 1.2 billion telephones and 970 million internet subscribers, India has emerged as a digital titan.” Scindia further projected that by 2026-27, 20% of India’s economy would be digital, marking a significant leap from 10% today and showcasing the rapid growth of India’s digital landscape, which has outpaced the national economy by nearly threefold.

Scindia underscored the importance of unity and collaboration among South Asian nations to enhance digital connectivity and inclusivity. He urged member countries to focus on sustainable network infrastructure, digital equity, and consumer safety. “South Asia must unite in its efforts to build a connected, resilient, and sustainable future,” he asserted, envisioning a region bound by shared goals and mutual progress.

A major highlight of Scindia’s address was his emphasis on Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTNs), a groundbreaking technology that could revolutionize connectivity. He explained, “The advent of NTNs will allow us to reach remote and underserved areas, paving the way for innovative applications and pushing us closer to achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs).”

The inaugural session also featured remarks from other prominent leaders. Dr. Chandra Sekhar, Minister of State for Communications, underscored the transformative impact of telecommunications on empowering societies, while Mr. Masanori Kondo, Secretary General of the Asia-Pacific Telecommunity (APT), called for regional cooperation and harmonized regulatory policies. Mr. Anil Kumar Lahoti, Chairman of the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI), welcomed the participants and reiterated India’s commitment to fostering cross-border partnerships to bridge the digital divide.

The Chair of SATRC, Major General (Retd.) Mohammad Emdad Ul Bari, Chairman of the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission, reflected on SATRC’s achievements over the past two decades and expressed optimism about leveraging digital transformation for the betterment of all South Asians.

Also Read | Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia Launches NITI Aayog’s Experience Studio on Drones

The three-day event, hosted by TRAI and organized by APT, will address critical topics such as radio frequency coordination, telecommunication development strategies, regulatory trends, and international telecommunication issues. It provides a valuable platform for exchanging ideas, forming strategic partnerships, and discussing policies to shape the future of telecommunications in the region.

Be a part of history! Express your interest and get featured in our exclusive souvenir, launching at the Bengaluru Tech Summit.

Be a part of Elets Collaborative Initiatives. Join Us for Upcoming Events and explore business opportunities. Like us on Facebook , connect with us on LinkedIn and follow us on Twitter, Instagram.