In tune with the changing times, the government has renamed the New Telecom Policy (NTP) to National Digital Communications Policy – 2018. The draft policy, which has been called the NTP for more than three decades, was made public late Tuesday night with a new name. It reflects that communications, at the national level, is not limited to only telephony but also to data that leverages next generation of technology.
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All stakeholders have been invited can give their feedback. The policy aims to provide 40 lakh new jobs by 2022 and attract an investment of $100 billion. The policy also aims to ensure broadband coverage of 50 mbps for every citizen.
The draft also proposes to address woes of debt-ridden telecom sector by reviewing licence fees, spectrum usage charges, universal service obligation fund levy – all of which add to cost of Telecom Services.
The contribution of the digital communications sector in India’s GDP will be enhanced to 8 per cent from about 6 per cent in 2017, said the draft.
Highlights of the draft policy
- Aims to provide fixed line broadband access to 50 per cent households in the country and start Landline Portability Services.
- Universal broadband coverage at 50 mbps to every citizen,1 gbps connectivity to all gram panchayats by 2020 and 10 gbps by 2022.
- Adoption of ‘Optimal Pricing of Spectrum’ to ensure sustainable and affordable access to Digital Communications.
- Recognition of mid-band spectrum, particularly the 3 GHz to 24 GHz range, for next-generation networks.
- Roadmap for in-demand backhaul spectrum for transmitting signals between mobile towers in E and V band as per international best practices.
- Aims to remove regulatory barriers and reduce the regulatory burden that hampers investments, innovation and consumer interest.
- Rationalise taxes and levies on Digital Communications equipment, infrastructure and services.