National Digital Communication Policy, 2018

India’s digital profile is one of the fastest growing in the world and by 2025, India’s digital economy has the potential to reach one trillion USD. Earlier government initiatives like Bharat Net, public Wi-Fi hotspots, introduction of Virtual Network Operators, National Telecom M2M roadmap, mobile number portability, National EMF portal, open auctioning of spectrum and transition to new Internet Protocol (IPv6) have already laid the groundwork that enables creation of a vibrant telecom market to strengthen India’s long term competitiveness.

• It is in this light that the National Digital Communication Policy 2018, was released with the aim to facilitate India’s effective participation in the global digital economy.

Objectives of the Policy

• Provide universal broadband connectivity at 50 Mbps to every citizen
• Provide 1 Gb/sec connectivity to all Gram Panchayats by 2020 and10 Gb/sec by 2022
• Create 4 million additional jobs in the digital communications sector by buildingnew age skills
• Attract investments of USD 100 billion in the digital communications sector
• Expand Internet of Things (IoT) ecosystem to 5 billion connected devices.
• Establish a comprehensive data protection regime for digital communications that safeguards the privacy, autonomy and choice of individuals.
• Enforce accountability through appropriate institutional mechanisms to assure citizens of safe and secure digital communications infrastructure and services.
• Ensure connectivity to all covered areas

Way Forward

• Establishment of a National Digital Grid by creating a National Fiber Authority
• Establishing Common Service Ducts and utility corridors in all new city and highway road projects
• Creating a collaborative institutional mechanism between Centre, States and Local Bodies for Common Rights of Way
• Standardization of costs and timeline
• Removal of barriers to approvals
• Facilitating development of Open Access Next Generation Networks.