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The Hindu
3 days ago
- Business
- The Hindu
Jyotiraditya Scindia interview: ‘India will have 1 billion Internet users by this fiscal'
With increasing data usage, the Internet market has grown from around 250 million to 974 million subscribers, says Minister of Communications and Development of North Eastern Region (DONER) Jyotiraditya Scindia. Stressing on the role of innovation and investment, Mr. Scindia discusses the potential of India's telecom industry and the way ahead for improving connectivity. Edited excerpts: This year's theme for The India Mobile Congress (IMC) is 'Innovate to Transform'. What's the message here for the domestic telecom industry? India has already proven itself to be the second largest telecom market in the world. In the last eleven years of Prime Minister Modi's government, not only have we grown on the mobile market from roughly 1 billion to 1.2 billion customers; we have also hugely grown data usage and the Internet market from around 250 million to 974 million Internet subscribers. The broadband market, with speeds greater than 2 Megabits per second (Mbps), has grown from 66 million in 2014 to 940 million today. We should be able to hit one billion Internet users within the first half of next year, or even within this fiscal year. That's a huge exponential expansion and penetration of the market that we've seen. At the same time, India has also proven to the world the law of economies of scale, where call price has gone down from 50 paise a minute to 0.003 paise per minute; where data has gone from ₹287 a GB to ₹9 a GB. We are today the cheapest data market in the world; the global average is $2.49. We are roughly at 11 cents. We have 5% of the world average cost. With such a large market and such a large ground to traverse, it is equally important for India to start pioneering the product space, and therefore IMC's theme this year of 'Innovate to Transform' very much ties in with its theme last year, 'The Future is Now'. India has already trailblazed that path by innovation, with the Centre for Development of Telematics, Tejas Networks, Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), and the Telecommunications Standards Development Society, India (TSDSI) building its 4G stack across the board. Many products are also now being made in India. We have gone from importing 80% of our mobile phone requirements to becoming a huge exporter of about ₹1.75 lakh crore worth of mobile phones. Even in terms of routers and other products, you have got world majors coming to India. So, India is now preparing to position itself in the product market. The Bharat 6G Alliance that we have put together is working on contributing a minimum 10% of patents to the world of 6G. And it is our hope that in this year's IMC, we will have over 1,50,000 visitors from 150 countries, over 7,000 delegates, and 400 exhibitors… I think it is time for India to push its investment in research and development (R&D), push its proficiency and capability on the product side, and that is why this year's theme is about India not only being consumers of global tech but actually becoming the creators and innovators of global products in the telecom space. With telecom equipment, we had home-grown technologies like Open RAN and 5Gi, but much of the final deployment in this generation has had less domestic contribution. Which is why, in the Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme — which has been tremendously successful, with over ₹4,000 crore of investment and ₹80,000 crore in revenue, close to ₹16,000 crore of exports, and 25,000 jobs created; it has been a runaway success — we introduced last year, a 1% design-led incentive. Therefore, I want to design, produce, and export in India. We hear a lot about Starlink and satellite communications. But in terms of connecting rural areas and remote areas, we have had decades of effort from the Universal Service Obligation Fund, now known as the Digital Bharat Nidhi. What is the long-term plan for terrestrial connectivity in remote areas? As far as BharatNet is concerned, in the first phase, we laid almost 7 lakh kilometres of fibre optic cables. We connected almost 2.14 lakh gram panchayats. We are now working on BharatNet II. Mind you, this is the largest public sector investment in connectivity to the grassroots level in the world, of $16.9 billion (₹1.39 lakh crore). What we are doing in BharatNet II is connecting the balance 2.64 lakh gram panchayats. We are going to have a capability of connecting 3.8 lakh villages on demand. The total number of villages in India is about 6.5 lakh, of which 2.64 lakh are gram panchayats. Along with that, we have put together many new systems in BharatNet II which were not prevalent in BharatNet I. So, let me talk about a few of those: first, we are now using Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS) routers instead of Gigabit Passive Optical Network (GPON) routers — it is a better technology, with higher redundancy levels; second, we are converting all the linear topography of BharatNet I — where a single breakage would impact all the downstream gram panchayats — into a ring topology, where each node is connected at two ends and is less prone to failure; third, the project implementation agencies have been mandated to also maintain the network for ten years after building it; and fourth, we are putting together a central network operating centre, to monitor and maintain the network throughout the country. Fifth, we are also going to put in place independent engineers — having nothing to do with BSNL or the L1 contractor — to ensure you are doing the job you are supposed to be doing, so there is a check and balance, and we are going to connect 1.5 crore Fibre-to-the-Home (FTTH) customers through this; and sixth, we are going to provide an Internet leased line which will have a minimum speed of 25 Mbps to every subscriber. So, it is a much more robust system that we are trying to put in place. Vodafone Idea Ltd. (VIL) has been suffering financially for multiple quarters. They have also had a setback at the Supreme Court, which refused to revise the calculation for their Adjusted Gross Revenue (AGR) dues. To what extent is the government willing to step in and make sure that there are at least three private operators in the telecom market? We have three private operators and one state-owned operator. So, we have four altogether, and I think that is a very healthy environment... Having said that, I think each company has to manage its own profit-and-loss (P&L) account and balance sheet. We have done an equity conversion of almost ₹37,000 crore with VIL. The government now holds 49%. We do not intend to increase that stake above 49% at any point in the future. On the Department of Posts: what impact has the Post Office Act, 2023 had on modernising India Post? The Indian postal department is one of the most robust, largest distribution and logistics networks of any organisation — and I am weighing my words — in the world. And in the modern day, to be able to optimise its service delivery to a logistics organisation, the amendment to the Post Office Act empowers us to provide that flexibility to our Department, to be able to serve new markets, niche or otherwise, to validate proofs of concept, to be able to change our delivery portfolio… And I think a lot of the new changes that we are being able to put in place are about making it a comprehensive service provider; not only mail, but postal life insurance, post office savings bank, and the India Post Payments Bank — which by the way has turned the corner and is making profits, three years before it was forecast to do so. We are thinking of coming up with a digital access code for every single latitude and longitude in the country. Today, the postal department is empowered to be able to deliver all those capabilities by the amendments to the Act. On the DIGIPIN initiative, which you just referenced, why was the need for this felt? It is not the need — with changing times and technology, you have to keep evolving. It would be like asking, why did you come up with UPI, or — when I was Civil Aviation Minister — why did you come up with Digi Yatra. Any organisation only survives and furthers itself if it continues to evolve. And in that evolution, the digital access code will benefit the customer and the service provider. It is a product which will be used far and wide by every service provider to be able to authenticate the latitude and longitude of where delivery takes place; this will aid them in ensuring crisper, more on-time, direct, focused delivery. The customer will benefit. It is a vehicle to provide much more efficiency. And it is our job to come up with that.
India Gazette
23-05-2025
- Business
- India Gazette
"North East now gateway to Southeast Asia": Kiren Rijiju at Rising Northeast Investors Summit
New Delhi [India], May 23 (ANI): Union Minister Kiren Rijiju said on Friday that the Northeast region has emerged as India's gateway to Southeast Asia, adding that geographical isolation is an old concept and that they are at the forefront of development. He made the remarks while speaking at the Rising Northeast Investors Summit held in Delhi. 'The North East is now the gateway to Southeast Asian countries. India's Act East policy begins from the North East. Geographical isolation is an old concept; we are at the forefront of the development,' Rijiju said during the summit. Rijiju said the Act East policy, which focuses on strengthening economic and strategic ties with Southeast Asian countries, begins from the Northeast. He emphasised that the region was now central to India's growth and international outreach. He also said that the northeastern region has become very progressive and advanced because of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision. 'The government of India has focused on the Northeast, from infrastructure to the farm sector to tourism and hydropower, and in every sphere,' he added. Rijiju also said, 'The northeastern region is becoming a major economic hub of our country, and all sectors are rising, so people from industries and all backgrounds are participating. I'm very happy that the Northeastern region is no longer lagging behind in any sphere. Rather, it is progressing very fast. It doesn't matter now.' The two-day maiden 'Rising Northeast: The Investors' Summit 2025' is being held at Bharat Mandapam in the national capital to showcase the investment and trade potential of the Northeast Region on May 23 and 24, said a release. Union Minister for Communications and Development of North Eastern Region, Jyotiraditya M Scindia, on Friday highlighted the transformative progress of the North Eastern states over the last decade under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Speaking at the inaugural session of the Rising North East Investors Summit at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi, the minister emphasised the government's commitment to the region's development. Scindia announced that gross budgetary support for the north-eastern region has seen a dramatic rise, from a mere 10 per cent to enabling an investment of nearly Rs 6.75 lakh crore in the last ten years. This significant allocation, he noted, has been a game changer in redefining the growth trajectory of the region, turning it into a land of opportunity. He said, 'It is our very own Prime Minister who, over the past ten years, has increased the gross budgetary support from 10 per cent to enable an investment of nearly Rs 6.75 lakh crore in the North Eastern region'.The summit, aimed at attracting both global and domestic investors, sought to spotlight the immense economic potential of the North East. The minister remarked that the region of the Brahmaputra and Barak rivers, has for thousands of years been a cradle of India's ancient culture and commercial vibrancy.'There was a time when these eight states served as South Asia's global trading hubs, making a significant contribution in connecting the East to the West through both land and water routes,' he stated. Furthermore, Scindia said that in the seventy years following India's independence, the region had remained neglected and in the shadows.'In the past ten years, the destiny and story of this entire region have transformed. And the architect of that transformation stands before us today in the form of our esteemed Prime Minister, Narendra Modi ji,' he said, praising PM Modi as the architect of this transformation. Recounting past infrastructure gaps, the minister shared that N-E region once had only nine airports, and two states lacked any airports at all. Under PM Modi's leadership, the number of airports in N-E has risen to seventeen, giving the region a new thrust in connectivity and economic integration. Organised by the Ministry of DoNER in partnership with FICCI and Invest India, The Rising North East Investors Summit, which PM Modi inaugurated, is a two-day event taking place on 23rd and 24th May at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi. The summit aims to highlight the North East region as a land of opportunity and attract both global and domestic investment. (ANI)
India Gazette
23-05-2025
- Business
- India Gazette
North East emerges as investment hub with Rs 6.75 lakh crore boost in a decade: Scindia
New Delhi [India], May 23 (ANI): Union Minister for Communications and Development of North Eastern Region, Jyotiraditya M Scindia, on Thursday highlighted the transformative progress of the North Eastern states over the last decade under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Speaking at the inaugural session of the Rising North East Investors Summit at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi, the minister emphasized the government's commitment to the region's development. Scindia announced that gross budgetary support for the north-eastern region has seen a dramatic rise, from a mere 10 per cent to enabling an investment of nearly Rs 6.75 lakh crore in the last ten years. This significant allocation, he noted, has been a game changer in redefining the growth trajectory of the region, turning it into a land of opportunity. He said, 'It is our very own Prime Minister who, over the past ten years, has increased the gross budgetary support from 10 per cent to enable an investment of nearly Rs 6.75 lakh crore in the North Eastern region'. The summit, aimed at attracting both global and domestic investors, sought to spotlight the immense economic potential of the North East. The minister remarked that the region of the Brahmaputra and Barak rivers, has for thousands of years been a cradle of India's ancient culture and commercial vibrancy. 'There was a time when these eight states served as South Asia's global trading hubs, making a significant contribution in connecting the East to the West through both land and water routes,' he stated. However, Scindia lamented that in the seventy years following India's independence, the region had remained neglected and in the shadows. 'In the past ten years, the destiny and story of this entire region have transformed. And the architect of that transformation stands before us today in the form of our esteemed Prime Minister, Narendra Modi ji,' he said, praising PM Modi as the architect of this past infrastructure gaps, the minister shared that N-E region once had only nine airports, and two states lacked any airports at all. Under PM Modi's leadership, the number of airports in N-E has risen to seventeen, giving the region a new thrust in connectivity and economic integration. The Rising North East Investors Summit is a step toward harnessing this renewed momentum and showcasing the North East as an emerging investment destination on the global stage. (ANI)
India Gazette
22-05-2025
- Business
- India Gazette
Rising North East Investors Summit 2025 attracts record investment proposals worth Rs 4.22 Lakh Crore: Union Minister Scindia
New Delhi [India], May 22 (ANI): The Rising North East Investors Summit 2025 has garnered unprecedented investment proposals worth Rs 4.22 lakh crore, marking a significant milestone in the region's economic transformation journey, Union Minister for Communications and Development of North Eastern Region Jyotiraditya Scindia announced in an exclusive interview. The massive investment commitment represents a strong vote of confidence in the North East's economic potential and aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of positioning the North Eastern Region (NER) as India's growth engine toward achieving Viksit Bharat by 2047. Speaking about the comprehensive preparatory efforts, Minister Scindia highlighted the one-year intensive outreach campaign conducted by the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER) in collaboration with all eight NER states. 'We have conducted nine domestic roadshows across key cities, organised Ambassadors' Meet with over 75 countries, and facilitated six state-level roundtables along with six sector-specific interactions,' Scindia said. 'Today, I can proudly say that we have secured investment proposals worth Rs 4.22 lakh crore.' He said that companies such as Aditya Birla Group, ITC Group, Adani Group, and Ambani Group will be present. He also said that companies from 75 countries, including France, Germany, Spain, Poland, and Italy, will attend the summit. The Minister underlined that the region's rich culture, natural wealth, and strategic location make it a vital component of India's Act East policy, positioning it as a gateway to Southeast Asian markets. The Rising North East Investors Summit 2025 was designed with three primary objectives: unveiling the investment potential of the North East, facilitating collaboration between industry leaders, policymakers, and entrepreneurs, and building a comprehensive roadmap for growth in the manufacturing and services sectors. The summit's success is underpinned by robust institutional mechanisms. Operational Investment Promotion Agencies (IPAs) are now functional in six states, with the remaining two states' IPAs currently underway. Additionally, eight Chief Minister-led High-Level task forces have been established to develop sectoral strategies across agriculture and allied sectors, sports, investment promotion, tourism, economic corridors, infrastructure, textiles, handlooms and handicrafts, and animal husbandry and poultry. The government has also mapped logistics readiness across an 11-point framework, ensuring comprehensive preparedness for incoming investments. The summit facilitated extensive bilateral engagements with chambers of commerce, Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs), and corporate entities. The event structured over 100 business meeting slots, creating opportunities for meaningful B2G (Business-to-Government) and B2B (Business-to-Business) interactions. Roundtables and workshops brought together diverse stakeholders, including state representatives, foreign investor delegations, startups, corporations, and chambers of commerce, fostering an ecosystem of collaboration and partnership. Minister Scindia's announcement underscores the government's commitment to transforming the North East from a traditionally underdeveloped region into a dynamic economic hub. If materialised, the Rs 4.22 lakh crore investment commitment could significantly alter the region's economic landscape and contribute substantially to India's overall GDP growth. The success of the Rising North East Investors Summit 2025 demonstrates the effectiveness of systematic outreach, policy alignment, and stakeholder engagement in attracting large-scale investments to emerging regions. According to a release, over 2,000 high level delegates, policymakers, industry leaders, investors, multilaterals and start-ups will take part in discussions across nine plus priority sectors such as agri, food processing and allied sectors; textiles, handloom and handicrafts; entertainment and sports; education and skill development; healthcare; IT and ITES; tourism and hospitality; infrastructure and logistics, and energy. A high-level delegation comprising senior officials from Assam will make a strong presence at the summit. Being a major State and a gateway to the Northeast, Assam will showcase its inherent strengths in key sectors as well as emerging sectors with Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma leading from the front. (ANI)
