From huge investments to contact-free processes: These are the factors outlined by TRAI Chief for accelerating India’s digital growth

Huge investments into digital infrastructure, deployment of contact-free processes across verticals, thrust on fibre-to-home and in-building solutions, the proliferation of WiFi hotspots will accelerate India’s digital growth, RS Sharma, chairman of Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI), said.

TRAI chief’s policy prescription also included the usage of high-capacity E-band and V-band for backhaul, utilising cable TV infrastructure in order to provide broadband, promotion of cloud services, among others.

Sharma added applications developed should not only have the ability to impact people’s lives in a positive manner but also must contribute to employment, increase productivity, hone skills and improve living standards of the common man.

“We must also realise that howsoever sophisticated a technology may be, these are useless unless they benefit the common man,” said Sharma while addressing the conference organised by the Broadband India Forum.

He called for modification of building bylaws in order to accommodate telecom infrastructure, adding that telecom must become as essential as electricity and water.

Sharma also lauded the National Digital Health Mission announced by PM Modi on August 15. He said the proposed health mission would pave the way for cost-effective medical delivery systems, enabling a system where health records can be pulled out in a paperless environment with the patient’s consent.

“One of the most important things we as a country must do is to invest in digital infrastructure which will ensure sustainable growth,” he said.

Sharma also stressed upon the need to accelerate the deployment of Wifi hotspots under the Wifi Access Network Interface network designed by TRAI.

He added that the central government is paving the way to implement 5G technology that will help meet the rising demand for data.