Gearing up for the future mobile economy

With a focus on connectivity, infrastructure, security, and skill development, India is poised to unlock the full potential of the mobile economy.

Acknowledging India’s challenges in terms of connectivity, especially in rural areas, Uma Shankar Pandey, Member (Services), Department of Telecom, Government of India said that access to high-speed broadband in India is limited and is creating a digital divide. Speaking at the 22nd Voice&Data Telecom Leadership Forum (TLF) recently, he further informed that the government is taking steps to meet these challenges by launching a project to provide 4G services to 25,000 villages that currently have no network and upgrading 2G/3G networks to 4G. “The government is also extending mobile connectivity by adding 2,000+ towers to cover the North-East region,” he added.

The Member (Services) also spoke about the immense growth of mobile technology in India and its impact on businesses, employment, and the challenges it faces. He also shed light on the driving factors behind this growth, the challenges faced, and the government initiatives taken to bridge the digital divide and support the industry’s development.

The growth of the Internet, availability of affordable smartphones, and cheaper data plans have been driving the mobile economy in India.

Pandey began by discussing the current state of the mobile economy in India, emphasising its significance as the world’s second-largest mobile market. With over 1.14 billion mobile phone customers and approximately 816 million people having access to mobile broadband, the mobile economy has become a critical driver of growth and development in the country. It has enabled access to various services like banking, healthcare, and education, particularly in remote areas. According to GSMA, the mobile ecosystem contributes around 5% to India’s GDP and supports millions of skilled jobs, while also generating substantial tax revenue.

Driving factors of the mobile economy

The growth of the Internet, coupled with the increased availability of affordable smartphones and cheaper data plans, has been instrumental in driving the mobile economy in India. The rise of mobile commerce, digital payments, and mobile-first business operations has transformed the way businesses operate and engage with their customers.

The government is providing training to thousands of individuals to create employment opportunities in the rollout of 4G and 5G technologies.

The growth of the app industry and the adoption of emerging technologies like Edge Computing, sensor-based ecosystems, and Industry 4.0 are further fuelling the mobile economy’s expansion and generating new opportunities for entrepreneurs and businesses.

Opportunities and challenges

Pandey highlighted the vast array of opportunities that lie ahead in the mobile economy. He emphasised the potential for innovations in areas such as health monitoring, telemedicine, mobile commerce, and mobile-first business models. However, he also acknowledged the challenges that need to be addressed, including limited mobile connectivity in rural areas, infrastructure requirements, security and piracy concerns, and the digital divide between urban and rural populations.

The Member (Services) also talked about the initiatives taken up by the Government of India to overcome these challenges and support the growth of the mobile economy. He shared key initiatives, such as the Universal Service Obligation Fund projects, aimed at providing connectivity to underserved areas and villages. These projects involve the establishment of thousands of mobile towers and the provision of 4G mobile services to over 25,000 villages, with additional upgrades in several districts.

Pandey also highlighted the government’s focus on job creation and skill development in the mobile sector. Through collaboration with state governments and the Telecom Sector Skill Council, the government is providing training programs tailored to the specific needs of each district. This initiative aims to train thousands of individuals and create employment opportunities in the rollout of 4G and 5G technologies.

Additionally, the government has introduced policies to expedite the Right-of-Way clearance process for setting up mobile towers, reducing the time required for approvals. Pandey shared a successful case from Madhya Pradesh, where a state-specific policy streamlined the clearance process for towers located in forest areas, ensuring faster implementation.

The keynote address shed light on the remarkable growth of the mobile economy in India and the government’s initiatives to bridge the digital divide and support its expansion. With the government’s focus on connectivity, infrastructure, security, and skill development, India is poised to unlock the full potential of its mobile economy, contributing to the nation’s GDP.

josunj@cybermedia.co.in