New telecom policy on the anvil; rapid growth & transformation

New Delhi: In a landmark step, the Planning Commission is evolving a strategy for the telecom sector for the 12th Five Year Plan with the basic objective of development of world class infrastructure, and is engaged in undertaking a comprehensive review of the existing policies.
In short, it is engaged in working out a new policy for 20012-17.
The Commission is also going into the issue of optimum utilisation of scarce spectrum resource.
The Plan Panel is also set to examine the possibility of creation of a spectrum relocation fund. It would indicate likely source and quantum of resources so generated and guidelines for the operation of such fund.
In order to work out some of the policy related issues for the Twelfth Plan, the Commission has set up a Working Group under the chairmanship of telecom secretary R Chandrashekhar.
Being of a futuristic nature, it will be a forward looking document looking at the period 2012-17.
Planning Commission Deputy Chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia is of the view that the telecom sector, being one of the fast growing sectors, needs a policy orientation which aims at achieving world class infrastructure.
The 35-member Working Group will also make recommendations for the rollout of rural broadband connectivity through strengthening augmentation, re-farming of spectrum and harnessing technology.
The Group would submit its report by August 31, given the urgency of the issues involved.
The other members of the Committee include–Secretaries of the concerned ministries, including Telecom and IT, Finance, Defence, Health and Home Affairs.
Besides, it will have top brass from the Departments of Space, Commerce, Industrial Policy and Promotion and Higher Education.
The purpose of taking such wide ranging segments under its gamut is to ensure a holistic response of the government on the issues connected with telecom.
Top sources in the Commission said the Committee would evolve a pricing policy for service delivery, looking at both the spectrum efficiency and sectoral business viability.
It would also suggest guidelines to encourage and incentivise introduction of spectrum efficient technologies.
The Committee would also suggest measures for further promotion of private sector investment and encourage entrepreneurship in the sector.
The telecom services are recognised world-over as an important tool for socio-economic development for a nation. It is one of the prime support services needed for rapid growth and modernisation of various sectors of the economy.
Indian telecommunication sector has undergone a major process of transformation through significant policy reforms.
Driven by various policy initiatives, the Indian telecom sector witnessed a complete transformation in the last decade. It has achieved a phenomenal growth during the last few years and is poised to take a big leap in the future also.
The Indian telecommunications network with 621 million connections is the third largest in the world. The sector is growing at a pace of 45 per cent during the recent years.
The government wants to ensure that this pace of transformation and change is maintained or enhanced.