Improving Connectivity Key To Success Of Digital India Vision:TRAI Chairman

Speaking at the 10^th India Digital Summit, Shri R.S. Sharma, Chairman – TRAI spoke about the necessity of augmenting telecom and digital infrastructure to meet growing demand of a truly digital India. He said that with more spectrum to be released, connectivity will improve. According to him, “Seamless connectivity is the essence of true digitization. With Digital Locker; e-Sign and Aadhar, India is the only country in the world to have such advanced technology. India is also the only country to have the technicality of checking identity of a person digitally through Aadhar.”

Speaking on Differential Pricing, Shri. Sharma was categorical that with the digital landscape changing constantly, TRAI will be reviewing it every 2 years.  On connectivity, he said drive tests are regularly done by TRAI. He further said that telecom companies have started raising objections pertaining to consulting on the roads TRAI is using. He wrapped up the point saying, “We have started that process also. So this time when we did the test, we have also taken their suggestions into account.”

Shri. Sharma, while addressing the audience at the India Digital Summit further said, “Whatever drive tests we have done, we have done that very objectively. It was done in a transparent manner and if there are any more suggestions for transparency we are certainly ready to look at it. But by simply saying that what you have done is not really correct, that is not the way.”

He further added the next test drive is likely to be in April 2016.

Earlier, Mr Kunal Shah, Chairman IAMAI and Founder & CEO FreeCharge in his inaugural address, suggested that continuous innovation is the key for staying relevant and that the young startups should focus on reinventing rather than focusing on raising funds.