National Telecom Policy to focus on providing affordable internet and disruptive technologies

The National Telecom Policy which is expected to arrive by March next year, would be focusing on providing internet to all at affordable rates. [caption id=“attachment_3390222” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  File photo of Telecom Minister Manoj Sinha.[/caption] According to a report by The Economic Times, Telecom Minister, Manoj Sinha, said, “Internet to all will be the basic principle and to give boost to telecom manufacturing would be a key factor of the new telecom policy.” Speaking to ET, Sinha said that since call drops have improved, it would be easier to bring internet to everyone at affordable rates. However, he feels that not only the government but even the private operators play an important role in building an infrastructure which can support the government’s plans. In an **interview with the _Firstpost_** , Sinha had said, “I believe that there is immense potential in this ministry, particularly in this era when digital connectivity is still beyond the reach of common people. The rural masses are still bereft of it.” **As per** IANS, the call drop rate has reduced by 8 percent in the last one year, the telecom minister had said previously. He also added that the government aimed to bring it down further by the year-end. As per the report, the policy would be created on the lines of resolving issues in the sector along with a focus on disruptive technologies, for instance, the fifth generation standards (5G) and artificial intelligence (AI). The latter has attracted attention from various global sectors and nations. He said, “The new policy will be forward-looking and current challenges of new technologies such as IoT and Artificial Intelligence will be taken care of.” Recently, according to a **report** by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI), subscriber base grew about half a percent to cross the 121 cr mark in June, where the mobile segment marked a net addition of 60 lakh customers. TRAI has said that the amended regulation of “Quality of Service” would be effective from 1 October. Previously, penalty on call drop norm violation was Rs 50,000 per violation. The minister had previously said that the telecom companies had met the target of setting up 60,000 cellular sites or BTS with an investment of Rs 12,000 crore in 100 days.