Minister of State for Communications, Dr. Chandra Sekhar Pemmasani, inaugurated an International Conference of Telecom Regulators today on October 16, 2024. The event was graced by key figures such as Doreen Bogdan-Martin, Secretary General of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), Mats Granryd, Director General of GSMA, and Anil Kumar Lahoti, Chairman of the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI).
Dr. Pemmasani highlighted India's rapid development in the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) sector, especially emphasizing the country's swift deployment of 5G services and the widespread adoption of digital technologies. He attributed this growth to India's conducive regulatory environment and the expanding digital economy.
At the event, Atul K. Chaudhary, Secretary of TRAI, read a message from Minister of Communications Jyotiraditya Scindia. Scindia highlighted that regulators bear the responsibility of protecting consumer interests while addressing broader challenges. He also highlighted the evolution of Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTNs), which are set to revolutionize communication technologies and drive innovative solutions across industries. Scindia urged regulators to focus on creating frameworks for Over-the-Top (OTT) communication services.
The conference brought together global telecom leaders. Doreen Bogdan Martin, Mats Granryd, and Anil Kumar Lahoti addressed the attendees. Lahoti noted that TRAI actively engages in international forums, such as the ITU, APT, and ASEAN, to collaborate on regulatory issues. He emphasized India's involvement in hosting international conferences, underscoring TRAI's global engagement.
The one-day conference, held alongside the ITU World Telecom Standardization Assembly (WTSA-24) and India Mobile Congress (IMC-24), focused on the theme “Emerging Trends in Regulation.” Discussions covered topics such as regulatory perspectives on standardization, satellite communication, and OTT services.
A notable highlight was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between TRAI and Saudi Arabia’s Communications, Space, and Technology Commission (CST), formalizing bilateral relations and opening the door for future collaborations. The event concluded with a vote of thanks by Vandana Sethi, Advisor at TRAI.
