That is the primary time that this occasion, organized by the Worldwide Telecommunication Union (ITU), is being held within the Asia Pacific. Representatives from over 190 international locations will convene to form the way forward for world telecom requirements. It is going to function a platform to debate next-generation applied sciences like 6G (sixth technology telecom).
What are the ITU and WTSA?: Established in 1865, the ITU is a United Nations company targeted on telecom standardization. Its mission is to make sure seamless world data alternate by creating worldwide requirements for communication programs.
The WTSA is an occasion held each 4 years, providing a discussion board for member international locations to collaborate on setting technical guidelines that information the event of future telecom applied sciences.
India’s internet hosting of WTSA 2024 offers the nation a possibility to play a key function in shaping the worldwide telecom agenda, particularly as we glance in direction of 6G and past.
Telecom standardization is essential: Telecom requirements kind the spine of worldwide connectivity. They be certain that completely different units, networks and programs talk easily throughout borders.
For instance, worldwide roaming agreements depend on shared requirements and enabling seamless communication, whereas protecting prices low. Equally, telecom requirements govern world dialling codes and fibre-optic cables, making communication throughout the globe simpler and extra dependable.
From a enterprise perspective, standardization is crucial to foster competitors and innovation. It helps make telecom companies extra accessible and inexpensive for billions of individuals. Requirements enable various tools and programs to work collectively, boosting the effectivity and attain of networks.
Standardization is greater than only a technical requirement; it’s a strategic software. Nations that affect world telecom requirements have the ability to form rising applied sciences and defend their industrial pursuits. For companies, adhering to world requirements opens up worldwide market alternatives whereas guaranteeing honest competitors.
Union communications minister Jyotiraditya Scindia’s assertion that “India adopted the world in 4G, is marching alongside in 5G, and can lead in 6G” captures the nation’s confidence and aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s imaginative and prescient of reworking India into a world exporter of telecom know-how from being simply a big shopper.
India now boasts of almost 100% 4G protection and is quickly increasing its 5G infrastructure, overlaying greater than 600,000 villages and establishing over 442,000 5G Base Transceiver Stations (BTS).
India can also be taking strides in direction of 6G, with greater than 250 worldwide patents underneath its belt. These developments meet rising demand for sooner knowledge speeds, decreased latency and expanded community protection.
India’s function in world telecom for the International South: India’s management within the telecom sector extends past innovation. It consists of advocacy on behalf of growing nations. Many international locations within the International South face challenges like low web penetration and excessive infrastructure prices.
India’s success in rolling out 4G and 5G companies even in rural areas gives a mannequin for others to observe. For instance, the 5Gi normal, an Indian innovation, was created to make 5G extra accessible in underserved areas. Acknowledged globally by the ITU, 5Gi exhibits how standardization can bridge gaps and produce the advantages of superior telecommunications to all.
By championing requirements that deal with the wants of growing nations, India ensures that world telecom insurance policies grow to be extra inclusive. Because the world strikes in direction of 6G, it is crucial for growing international locations to be a part of these conversations to make sure they profit from upcoming applied sciences.
WTSA 2024 shall be a world telecom milestone: It is going to be greater than a gathering of worldwide delegates. It is going to embody side-events just like the India Cell Congress (IMC), the place main telecom corporations and innovators will spotlight developments in 5G, 6G and digital options.
Periods led by the Community of Ladies in ITU Standardization will spotlight ladies’s management within the digital tech {industry} and function in shaping requirements.
Technological innovation may also be spotlighted via occasions like AI for Good Affect India, specializing in the function of synthetic intelligence (AI) in sustainable improvement, and the Robotics for Good Youth Problem, the place younger innovators will compete to create robotic options for catastrophe response.
The WTSA Expo may also show industry-leading companies. The ITU Bridging the Standardization Hole programme will help small and medium-sized enterprises in growing international locations. There shall be different occasions too. By internet hosting WTSA 2024, India can consolidate its function in shaping the way forward for telecommunications.
Indian efforts are geared toward guaranteeing that telecom companies grow to be extra inexpensive, accessible and revolutionary worldwide. India’s involvement in setting 6G requirements may also be good for the telecom {industry}, serving to maintain its drive to be inclusive and fashionable.
Keep in mind, the essential purpose of telecom standardization is to have the advantages of recent developments attain folks in every single place.
Hemendra Sharma is deputy director common (media), division of telecommunications, ministry of communications, Authorities of India.
