National Digital Communications Policy 2018

The new National Digital Communications Policy - 2018 has been formulated, in place of the existing National Telecom Policy 2012, to cater to the modern needs of the digital communications sector of India.

Key Objectives of the Policy

• Broadband for all;
• Creating four million additional jobs in the Digital Communications sector;
• Enhancing the contribution of the Digital Communications sector to 8% of India’s GDP from 6% in 2017;
• Propelling India to the Top 50 Nations in the ICT Development Index of ITU from 134 in 2017;
• Enhancing India’s contribution to Global Value Chains; and Ensuring Digital Sovereignty.
• These objectives are to be achieved by 2022.

The Policy Advocates for

• Establishment of a National Digital Grid by creating a National Fibre 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 timelines;
• Removal of barriers to approvals; and
• Facilitating development of Open Access Next Generation Networks.