According to government sources the national telecom policy in works will focus on complete transition of the country from physical to digital infrastructure, with norms to push availability of high speed and uninterrupted broadband services in mission mode, reported PTI.
The Draft National Telecom Policy 2018, slated for release on May 1, is likely to come up with framework for indigenisation of all the technologies in the broadband ecosystem to be used in the country and create 40 lakh new jobs in the sector.
The policy in works is likely to propose higher weightage to products and equipments that have been developed and manufactured locally with intellectual property rights residing in India for public procurement purposes.
An official source informed PTI that the NTP 2018 is being drafted to implement Digital India vision of the Prime Minister (Narendra Modi) in totality. The policy will see massive transition of the country from use of physical infrastructure to digital. There is proposal to have National Broadband Mission (NBM) with objective to put India at par with developed nation in ICT development index. The source also added that Telecom Minister Manoj Sinha wants roll out of 5G in country at par with other countries.
The officer further said to PTI that spectrum harmonisation across several bands will be proposed for deployment of wireless broadband, and satellite connectivity will be used for connecting locations with tough terrains.
The NTP proposes to strengthen public sector units like BSNL, MTNL, ITI, TCIL by giving them larger role to pay in achieving objectives envisaged under it.