India’s telecom market structure looks good; satcom could become very significant, says Telecom Secy

The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) believes that the country’s telecom market structure is good, with Vodafone Idea and state-run Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd. firming up plans to expand their 4G and 5G networks.

In an exclusive interview with Moneycontrol, Neeraj Mittal, secretary in the Department of Telecommunications, Ministry of Communications, said India could lead the world in 6G deployment, just as it did with the fastest 5G rollout, which is still ongoing.

He said market forces must decide on telecom tariffs, which are currently under forbearance.

Mittal, who took charge in September 2023, said work on the Telecommunications Act, 2023, is under way, referring to it as a “very complex” piece of legislation. The act, meant to replace the Indian Telegraph Act, 1885, and the Indian Wireless Telegraphy Act, 1933, is awaiting notification.

He said satellite communications or satcom, while nascent, could soon become very significant. Edited excerpts:

What is the progress on implementing the Telecom Act?

It’s a very complex piece of legislation, with some 37 sections, where rules have to be formulated and notified. We have to harmonise whatever we have done in the past and all the past licences have to be looked at. So, all that background work is happening, but it will be a while before we are able to do it. The act itself requires notification, and then sections require notification. So, all that background work is currently under way.

How do you look at the dynamics of the Indian telecom market, given Vodafone Idea’s efforts to be a competitive player, its funding plan in place, and BSNL’s plan for a 4G launch?

The structure of the market looks good.

Telcos have reiterated the need for tariff correction. What are your views?

Telecom tariffs are under forbearance. Market forces have to take care of the tariffs.

As far as players are concerned, India has done well, especially with Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel, with their 5G deployments. They have done well with 5G. Vodafone Idea is looking to upgrade its network. C-DOT is also working very feverishly on upgrading its network. We have a good prognosis and good progress in terms of indigenous technology, and we hope that we will be able to launch it very soon with BSNL.

What role does the DoT see for satcom in India?

Satcom is a very rapidly evolving market. While it is nascent, it could become very significant very soon. The pace of technological changes is taking place rapidly. For example, one country did some experiments on voice using satellites. So, things are changing very fast. I think it’s very hard to have a crystal ball to tell where the satcom market will go. But we have to look out almost every day to see where the satcom market could be. Every day is a new day in this space.

Telcos want the 6 GHz band (6425-7125 MHz) incorporated in the National Frequency Allocation Plan (NFAP) to support 5G growth. At the same time, tech companies want it for Wi-Fi. What are your views?

This is actively under consideration. It is not either or… We have to find a way so that public interest is served. Once we reach that conclusion, then we will of course, decide, modify and update the NFAP accordingly.

What sort of work is being done in the 6G space?

Work is actively happening on 6G. 6G is an evolving technology. From 5G to 6G, it will be a 10-year cycle, the way it was for 4G to 5G transition. You need to do R&D, standardisation, and then implementation. I think we are still very far away from 6G, but of course, the work has started. We have the Bharat 6G Alliance.

We are working with closely with our partners. We have recently asked for projects to be financed under 6G. We got a massive response. Obviously, both academia and industry are very gung-ho about the future of 6G in India. And just as we lead 5G deployment and showcase the fastest rollout of 5G to the world, I’m sure we will do the same for 6G as well.

We’ll also be able to contribute substantively to 6G development. India’s contribution was instrumental in the ubiquitous adoption of 5G. This is very important for a country like India, and we hope to have a similar leadership role in setting the standard for 6G, conducting R&D, increasing domestic manufacturing capability, etc. All that will pan out as we go along.

How do you look at the 2G future in India?

2G reach is very good in terms of reach and indoor access. Each telco will have to take its call, but it is a techno-commercial decision as spectrum will become available. Telcos will determine whether the transition makes economic sense for them… As a country, we would like to move to newer technologies like 4G, 5G, and 6G.

How does DoT use artificial intelligence for various projects?

The role of AI is mainly in the Chakshu portal (where citizens can report suspected fraud communications) and the Digital Twins project (use of digital technologies with infrastructure planning to address real-world challenges). We have seen a massive response for the Sangam Digital Twin initiative… 200-300 proposals have come. We use artificial intelligence, real-time data, GIS, and geo-analytics to do infrastructure planning, especially telecom data.

We have done it in Bengaluru, Hyderabad and Delhi. We examine telecom data to see how people move from one place to another… for instance, we plan the metro station better using that. That’s all AI.