‘India Satcom 2016’ Summit to Add Impetus to Digital India Outreach Campaign Via FDI and Satellite Communication Solutions

• Sector reforms to bring in FDI worth $2-5 billion over the next decade and address critical issues on disaster recovery and emergency services, emergency services for connected cars, besides applications like broadband services on the move, cost effective solutions for entertainment in rural areas and socio-economic objectives of the programs – Digital India and Make in India

• Liberalisation and reforms  of satellite communication policy  harbours potential for successful  deployment of Broadband under Digital India for all 2.5 lakh Gram panchayats in just 12-18 months, bolstering Prime Minister’s Digital India dream

• India Satcom Summit’s objective: demystify Satellite Communication technology, misunderstood as being super hi-tech, complex and unaffordable for most telecom users whereas industry research states this could trigger replication of the mobile telecom success story and actually surpass it 

As a part of the Digital India Outreach Campaign, 16 vans were flagged off last week by Shri Ravi Shankar Prasad, Union Minister for Communications & Information Technology, to 34 districts of nine states. With this new initiative, the Government hopes to introduce one million citizens to services only possible via interplay of Satellite Technology along with other existing Broadband technologies, such as optical fibre, mobile, cable, etc. Broadband India Forum (BIF) acknowledged Government efforts to deliver connectivity and Broadband to remote and difficult-to-access parts of India. The 2^nd International India Satcom Summit ‘India Satcom -2016’ is aimed at showcasing the scope of catalysing  achievement of socio-economic objectives with the use of innovations in Satellite Communications technology.   

Inviting the delegates to India Satcom – 2016, Mr. TV Ramachandran, President – BIF, said “Digital India, Make in India and Broadband for All will require integration of many parallel technologies that have high potential but are less understood, such as Satellite Communication (Satcom), to achieve a dream that’s close to Hon’ble Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s heart. Integration will expedite penetration of affordable Broadband in India, particularly in remote, rural regions. BIF has always propagated enhancement and integration of new technologies that can expedite penetration of affordable Broadband in India to complement other Broadband technologies, such as optical fibre, mobile, cable, etc. Our objective through this Summit is to bring all Broadband technology players on board to support the Digital India initiative.”

The conference would also deliberate on policy reforms and regulations to discover the way forward for deployment of Next Gen Satellite Communications technologies, showcasing their viability to expedite the penetration of affordable Broadband in India to extend broadband enabled services viz. MyGov, Digital Locker, Aadhaar and other digital services to the unconnected. These programs need billions of US dollars annually in funding; accordingly, the Summit intends to highlight the enormous opportunity to draw FDI inflows via satellite communications.

Besides satellites, huge potential exists to manufacture satcom components and equipment. Investment is also likely to come in for training and skilling local human resources to provide professional services. This will bring in much-needed FDI and create a large pool of skilled human resources through thousands of new jobs. The reforms have the potential to increase gross revenues by $30-100 billion over a decade and also boost GDP growth.

Hon’ble Minister of State (Independent Charge) for the Ministry of Development of North-East Region, Prime Minister’s Office, Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions, Dept. of Atomic Energy and Dept. of Space, Shri Jitendra Singh will be the Chief Guest. The summit will witness deliberations on the viability of Satellite Communications for Digital India and possible Next Gen Satcom Innovation & Applications by senior members from the Government, including DoT, TRAI, DoS, Niti Aayog, Dept. of Industrial Policy & Promotion (DIPP), DeitY and Indian Council for Research on International Economic Relations (ICRIER) departments and representatives from Leading Satellite Operators, VSAT Service Providers, Telecom Service Providers, Internet Service Providers, Technology Providers, VSAT Manufacturers, Cable Service Providers, User Organisations (Banks, Oil & Gas, Defence, Security Forces etc), DTH Service Providers, and other allied Industries.

About Broadband India Forum

A not-for-profit body, Broadband India Forum (BIF) is an offshoot of the IPTV Society. BIF’s vision is to be a thought leader as well as a credible and effective voice of the Indian broadband industry to help propel the nation in achieving the ambitious vision of our Hon’ble PM by transforming our country through Digital India. To achieve this, BIF is working to facilitate expeditious advancement of affordable and high-speed broadband throughout the country on a technology-neutral basis via development of the entire broadband ecosystem on a holistic and inclusive basis. The Forum comprises several members from various segments, viz., technology providers, telecom operators, Internet service providers, Cable TV operators, satellite operators, value-added service providers and seasoned industry professionals familiar with different technologies, operations, regulations and policies, including business models and business cases.

BIF’s senior leadership team comprises some renowned and respected professionals from both industry and the Government. Mr. M.F. Farooqui, IAS (Retd), past Secretary – Telecom, Govt. of India is the current Chairman and Mr. Shyamal Ghosh, former Secretary – Telecom & IT and first Administrator of the USO Fund is Chairman Emeritus of BIF.  Mr. T.V. Ramachandran, Chairman, European Business Group India – Telecom and Founder & CEO TVR@Advisory is the President of the Association.  Other distinguished office bearers who actively participate in BIF include  Mr. Vimal Wakhlu – CMD, TCIL, Mr. Ravi Gandhi –Chief Regulatory Officer, Bharti Airtel, Mr. TR Dua – DG, TAIPA, who are Vice Presidents. Mr. Manoj Misra, Head Regulatory – Vodafone India Ltd and former Senior TRAI Official is the Treasurer.  Besides, Mr. P.K. Garg, former Wireless Adviser, is associated as Adviser to some of the Expert Committees of BIF.