The new report titled National Digital Communications Policy 2018 rolled out by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) this week saw a great deal of emphasis laid on creating a roadmap for emerging technologies and its use in the communications sector, such as 5G, artificial intelligence, robotics, internet of things, cloud computing and M2M, among others. The report also aimed at creating 40 lakh new jobs by 2022, attracting $100 billion in investments into the sector and ensuring broadband speed of 50 mbps for every citizen.
The draft added that in order to ensure a holistic and harmonised approach for harnessing emerging technologies, the government needed to leverage AI and big data in a synchronised and effective manner to enhance the overall quality of service, spectrum management, network security and reliability.
The report says in its preamble, “The digital infrastructure and services are increasingly emerging as the key enablers and critical determinants of a country’s growth and well-being. With significantly advanced capabilities in both telecommunications and software, India, more than most countries, stands poised to benefit from harnessing the new digital technologies and platforms; as a means to unlock productivity, as well as to reach unserved and underserved markets; thus catalysing economic growth and development, generating new- age jobs and livelihoods, and ensuring access to next generation services for its citizens.”
To propel the country’s development with use of next generation technology through investment, the policy proposes goal to attract “investments of $100 billion in the digital communications sector” by 2022 with help of regulatory reforms. The draft emphasises, “The policy recognises the importance of continued improvement in the regulatory framework for attracting investments and ensuring fair competition, to serve the needs of Indian citizens. Given the sector’s capital-intensive nature, the policy aims to attract long-term, high quality and sustainable investments.”
Prime Minister Modi had earlier spoken about using AI for the good of divyangs (specially abled) persons, underprivileged citizens and farmers.
In fact, PM Modi had also downplayed the fears of citizens losing jobs to robots and automation. He had affirmed that AI would increase the citizens’ productivity, and not take away their employment.
Through a series of events and speeches from earlier this year, PM Modi is seen to have been deliberately showcasing India as well as his government as technologically forward. In fact, industry insiders are happy to see that the Modi-led NDA government is working towards supporting a tech-driven future.
