Ravi Shankar Prasad Becomes The New Telecom Minister

- Advertisement -

Prasad will have to balance the demand for lowering spectrum base prices and allocating spectrum at the right price to ensure no loss to the exchequer.

Image courtesy: Google

Ravi Shankar Prasad has been appointed as the new minister for telecommunications, while he retains the IT and law ministries in the second innings of the Modi government. 

Prasad has been a three-time Rajya Sabha MP and has been instrumental in delivering the Modi government’s Make in India program, with multi-crore investments from top manufacturing companies from across the world. In 2019, there were 268 mobile and ancillary manufacturing units in India. Under his leadership, India became the second largest mobile phone producers in the world in 2019 from just two mobile factories in 2014. 

- Advertisement -

During his time as telecom minister, the most successful spectrum auction in India that fetched Rs. 1.10 lakh crore of revenue was conducted. Policies such as spectrum trading, spectrum sharing, spectrum liberalization, defence band identification, virtual network operator, full mobile number portability and policy for sharing of active and passive telecom infrastructure were cleared to pave way for massive foreign investments. 

What’s on the agenda?
As the new telecom minister, Prasad’s top priorities may be to nurse the industry back to health, besides laying the ground for the deploying 5G technology in India amid a push to drive the country into the digital age. Having been familiar with a plethora of issues in the telecom sector during his earlier tenure from May 2014 till July 2016, Prasad would also consider keeping revival of BSNL and MTNL on top of his agenda list. However, other issues will also need his immediate attention. 

To begin with, the critical issues of reviewing of levies and fees such as license fee, spectrum usage charges (SUC) and defining what does the government mean by adjusted gross revenue (AGR), will have to be taken up, said industry executives. These issues have also been highlighted in the National Digital Communications Policy (NDCP), the fast implementation of which will also be a key milestone for the new government to achieve. 

As the new minister, Prasad will have to balance the demand for lowering spectrum base prices and allocating spectrum at the right price to ensure no loss to the exchequer. At the same time, it will have to ensure that there’s adequate spectrum being put up for sale at every auction. 

(News source: Economic Times)

- Advertisement -

Most Popular Articles

Optical Fibre Connecticity-Ladakh

Indian Army Installs Optical Fiber Connectivity In Siachen And Daulat Beg Oldi 

0
Ongoing infrastructure projects, such as the new road to Daulat Beg Oldie (DBO), are set to significantly improve logistical support for troops deployed in...

Lumax Auto Buys 60% Of Greenfuel Energy For Rs 153.09 Cr

0
This collaboration with Greenfuel enables LATL to expand and diversify its range of solutions for automotive OEMs in India. Lumax Auto Technologies has completed the...

River Launches Updated Indie Electric Scooter With Chain Drive And New Colors

0
The revamped Indie now comes with a single-speed gearbox and a chain drive, enhancing both durability and cost-effectiveness. It is also available in two...

Ola Unveils S1 Z Electric Scooter Priced At Rs 59,999

0
The S1 Z operates with two detachable 1.5kWh battery packs and features 14-inch wheels. Ola Electric has recently expanded its lineup of electric scooters by...

Mahindra Unveils Electric BE 6e And XEV 9e Models

0
Deliveries are scheduled to start in late February or early March 2025, following a phased market introduction that begins in January 2025. Both models...
S.K. Yadav of RIGOL Technologies

“Our India Business Is $2 Million, With A Goal To Reach $6 Million” –...

0
In a chat with EFY’s Nitisha, S.K. Yadav of RIGOL Technologies highlights the company’s journey in India, shedding light on its growth prospects and...
Bejoy George, Managing Director- Chipmax Designs Private Limited,

“We Are Advancing R&D Projects To Develop Modular Assembly Lines With Adaptive Robotics” –...

0
How do you envision technological progressions influencing the future of manufacturing operations? Get informed from Electronics for You’s Akanksha while in dialogue with Bejoy...
Srinivas Parikshith, Co-founder of Auckam Technologies

“We Anticipate Turnover Reaching 40 Million Rupees Next Year With The New Product Line”...

0
Discussing the electronics manufacturing sector, Srinivas Parikshith, Co-founder of Auckam Technologies, talked to EFY’s Nitisha Dubey about their expansion plans to set up a...

“We Bring Intelligence Early On Into The Design Cycle” – Michel Van Cotthem VP...

0
With a solution embedding intelligence early in the design-to-source lifecycle, Supplyframe aims to leverage India’s electronics manufacturing boom. At IEW 2024, Michel Van Cotthem...
Vijai Karthick Selvam, Director of Teqtis

“We Do Everything From The Initial Concept To The Final Box Build” – Vijai...

0
Why are testing and R&D essential to combat printed circuit board manufacturing challenges? Speaking to EFY's Nitisha Dubey, Vijai Karthick Selvam, Director of Teqtis,...

HKTDC Electronics Fair Sparks Innovation, 60,000+ Participants!

0
Showcasing cutting-edge tech, global innovation, and booming markets for the future of electronics, HKTDC’s Hong Kong Electronics Fair and electronicAsia drew 60,000+ professionals. Last month,...
Applied Materials Representational Image

Applied Materials Selects Six Startups For Deep-Tech Accelerator Programme

0
The selected deep-tech startups will be evaluated for investment by Applied Ventures and potential collaboration opportunities with Applied Materials. In collaboration with the company's India...

Space tech Startup Akash Secures $68M CHIPS Funding

0
Eyeing to power into AI, EVs, and more high-tech industries, Akash Systems lands $68 million CHIPS grant to boost its cooling tech facility, generating...

Wireless Light-Based Communication With Velmenni’s Technology

0
Velmenni is at the forefront of wireless communication innovation with its pioneering light-based technologies, Li-Fi and LC Link. Founded by Deepak Solanki in October 2014...

Harnessing AI Technology For Efficient Pest Management

0
AI-Genix, an agri-tech startup, is transforming pest management for farmers through advanced AI-enabled systems that precisely target harmful pests. In an industry where pesticides and...

Industry's Buzz

Learn From Leaders

Startups