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Tag: Broadband India Forum

  • BIF bats for OTT regulations & level-playing field for all in Net Neutrality debate

    BIF bats for OTT regulations & level-playing field for all in Net Neutrality debate

    NEW DELHI: Broadband India Forum (BIF) has put its weight behind proposals to regulate OTT services, saying they too should be guided by same principles as ISPs and telecom service providers (TSP).

    “There  should be level playing field between the ISP/TSPs  and the OTT players. OTT players need to be brought under the same regulatory regime as the ISP/TSPs,” BIF has said in a submission on a pre-consultation paper on Net Neutrality to telecoms and broadcast regulator TRAI. 

    TRAI has been seeking comments since March 2015 from stakeholders on the issue of Net Neutrality and related matters like OTT, zero-rating plans and possible regulations.

    Since last year, several such papers have been issued by the regulator in an effort to finalise recommendations that could possibly go on to become industry regulations. BIF briefly alluded to this “piecemeal approach and not addressing the larger subject in one go” as this was fuelling ambiguities.

    Batting for plans like zero-rating offered by some Indian telcos earlier and Facebook’s FreeBasic — since then outlawed by TRAI — the Forum says, “At our stage of development, our highest need is internet adoption and increased data usage and whatever facilitates that, needs to be heartily supported”.

    Free Data should be permitted and it should be left to the service providers (ISP/TSPs) to decide whether they want to enter into such arrangement with the content providers or not basis their business case and requirement of technical development, BIF says.

    In India, OTT services are flowering every day, keeping in step with Asian trends.

    Some OTT services, available in India, include Star’s Hotstar, Zee’s dittotv, Viacom18’s Voot, Sony’s SonyLiv, Arre, Times group’s Box TV, Asian companies-owned Hooq and Viu and global giants like Netflix, apart from the likes of WhatsApp, Skype, YouTube and Hike. 

    No ex-ante regulation is required since there is enough competition and the market is vibrant enough, says the Forum, adding in case of violations, on ex-post basis, TRAI can examine tariff plans on a case by case basis after giving a reasonable opportunity to the operators of being heard.

    Dwelling on the economics of  broadband infrastructure, BIF highlights  efficient services would require investments up to Rs 500,000 crore over the next 3-5 years. Moreover, as per Government commitments, the Digital India initiative itself will require investments to the tune of  Rs. 113,000 crore.

    “It was the flexibility of service pricing that was permitted to the TSPs that led to mass adoption of voice services. A similar approach is warranted for ensuring adoption of data services. However, entrepreneurs are reluctant to start a new Internet based businesses when online customers are limited due to low adoption of data services,” BIF has said, adding that consumers are unwilling to invest in “expensive data plans” in the absence of adequate local content.

    Interestingly, BIF’s stand that telecoms is a capital–intensive sector where government mandates may hamper private investments, in some way, is also echoed by Hong Kong-based Asian organisation CASBAA.

    “We do not believe TRAI or the government should adopt policies that result in reducing or rationing of funds for (telecom) network investment. Advocates of `networks for all, open to all’ sometimes tend to forget that capable networks are costly, and they will not build themselves,” CASBAA had said in its submission to TRAI on Net Neutrality last year.

    Cautioning against replicating some existing regulation that may impede innovation, CASBAA had said TRAI and the government must avoid seeing the online content industry as another facet of the mature television content supply industry, ripe for extension of the same regulatory approaches governing the “traditional” TV industry. 

    “This would be a colossal mistake, especially at this new stage of development of online content supply in India. Overregulation will constrain development of newer business models which could be of great benefit to consumers and to India’s overall economic development,” the Asian industry organisation had said, hinting that a holistic view needs to be taken by regulators.

    Similarly, BIF in its recent submission has said the question of modernization of communications regulation…should be reviewed holistically and periodically to ensure same services are treated in a technologically neutral way, while protecting consumer rights and achieving the objectives of Digital India.

    The Forum has taken the initiative to define Net Neutrality in the Indian context and some key characteristics of Net Neutrality, amongst others, as:

    – No Blocking
    – No Throttling
    – Open Internet
    – No improper  prioritization (paid or otherwise)
    – Open, easy and non-discriminatory access
    – Recognition of at least four categories  of traffic and different traffic management techniques for different categories but having the same within each category
    – Equitable regulatory treatment of similar or near-similar services
    – Permission of zero rating systems.  

    (1 USD = 67.4874 INR)

  • BIF bats for OTT regulations & level-playing field for all in Net Neutrality debate

    BIF bats for OTT regulations & level-playing field for all in Net Neutrality debate

    NEW DELHI: Broadband India Forum (BIF) has put its weight behind proposals to regulate OTT services, saying they too should be guided by same principles as ISPs and telecom service providers (TSP).

    “There  should be level playing field between the ISP/TSPs  and the OTT players. OTT players need to be brought under the same regulatory regime as the ISP/TSPs,” BIF has said in a submission on a pre-consultation paper on Net Neutrality to telecoms and broadcast regulator TRAI. 

    TRAI has been seeking comments since March 2015 from stakeholders on the issue of Net Neutrality and related matters like OTT, zero-rating plans and possible regulations.

    Since last year, several such papers have been issued by the regulator in an effort to finalise recommendations that could possibly go on to become industry regulations. BIF briefly alluded to this “piecemeal approach and not addressing the larger subject in one go” as this was fuelling ambiguities.

    Batting for plans like zero-rating offered by some Indian telcos earlier and Facebook’s FreeBasic — since then outlawed by TRAI — the Forum says, “At our stage of development, our highest need is internet adoption and increased data usage and whatever facilitates that, needs to be heartily supported”.

    Free Data should be permitted and it should be left to the service providers (ISP/TSPs) to decide whether they want to enter into such arrangement with the content providers or not basis their business case and requirement of technical development, BIF says.

    In India, OTT services are flowering every day, keeping in step with Asian trends.

    Some OTT services, available in India, include Star’s Hotstar, Zee’s dittotv, Viacom18’s Voot, Sony’s SonyLiv, Arre, Times group’s Box TV, Asian companies-owned Hooq and Viu and global giants like Netflix, apart from the likes of WhatsApp, Skype, YouTube and Hike. 

    No ex-ante regulation is required since there is enough competition and the market is vibrant enough, says the Forum, adding in case of violations, on ex-post basis, TRAI can examine tariff plans on a case by case basis after giving a reasonable opportunity to the operators of being heard.

    Dwelling on the economics of  broadband infrastructure, BIF highlights  efficient services would require investments up to Rs 500,000 crore over the next 3-5 years. Moreover, as per Government commitments, the Digital India initiative itself will require investments to the tune of  Rs. 113,000 crore.

    “It was the flexibility of service pricing that was permitted to the TSPs that led to mass adoption of voice services. A similar approach is warranted for ensuring adoption of data services. However, entrepreneurs are reluctant to start a new Internet based businesses when online customers are limited due to low adoption of data services,” BIF has said, adding that consumers are unwilling to invest in “expensive data plans” in the absence of adequate local content.

    Interestingly, BIF’s stand that telecoms is a capital–intensive sector where government mandates may hamper private investments, in some way, is also echoed by Hong Kong-based Asian organisation CASBAA.

    “We do not believe TRAI or the government should adopt policies that result in reducing or rationing of funds for (telecom) network investment. Advocates of `networks for all, open to all’ sometimes tend to forget that capable networks are costly, and they will not build themselves,” CASBAA had said in its submission to TRAI on Net Neutrality last year.

    Cautioning against replicating some existing regulation that may impede innovation, CASBAA had said TRAI and the government must avoid seeing the online content industry as another facet of the mature television content supply industry, ripe for extension of the same regulatory approaches governing the “traditional” TV industry. 

    “This would be a colossal mistake, especially at this new stage of development of online content supply in India. Overregulation will constrain development of newer business models which could be of great benefit to consumers and to India’s overall economic development,” the Asian industry organisation had said, hinting that a holistic view needs to be taken by regulators.

    Similarly, BIF in its recent submission has said the question of modernization of communications regulation…should be reviewed holistically and periodically to ensure same services are treated in a technologically neutral way, while protecting consumer rights and achieving the objectives of Digital India.

    The Forum has taken the initiative to define Net Neutrality in the Indian context and some key characteristics of Net Neutrality, amongst others, as:

    – No Blocking
    – No Throttling
    – Open Internet
    – No improper  prioritization (paid or otherwise)
    – Open, easy and non-discriminatory access
    – Recognition of at least four categories  of traffic and different traffic management techniques for different categories but having the same within each category
    – Equitable regulatory treatment of similar or near-similar services
    – Permission of zero rating systems.  

    (1 USD = 67.4874 INR)

  • TRAI advocates help of cable operators to spread broadband

    TRAI advocates help of cable operators to spread broadband

    NEW DELHI: Telecom Regulatory Authority of India chairman R S Sharma said connectivity was vital for digital India and Aadhaar had built the foundation for online linkages, adding that cable digital television systems could be used to enable delivery of broadband.

    Speaking as the chief guest at the 2nd International Summit ‘India Satcom – 2016’ on the theme of Broadband for all using NextGen Satellite Technologies. Sharma admitted that certain ‘policy constraints have to be crossed.’

    He said internet connectivity in India was barely fifteen per cent, though wireless connectivity was growing at a fast pace through smartphones. There were only twenty million phones in the country but almost the entire country was connected through mobile phones. He also suggested the introduction of wi-fi at all public places.

    Referring to the Ka Band on satellite as earlier speakers had said the C-Band and Ku-band were already exhausted, Sharma said that the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India had issued a paper in this connection in April last year.

    The summit organized by the Broadband India Forum was aimed at showcasing the scope of catalysing achievement of socio-economic objectives with the use of innovations in Satellite Communications technology. It was supported by the Department of Electronic and Information Technology.

    Department of Telecom Secretary and Telecom Commission chairman J S Deepak stressed the need of satellites for reaching difficult terrains and said that a new network in ten states using 2,200 towers had been put into operation for this purpose. Twelve per cent of the communication in these states was through satellite.

    He said the Bharat Net Optic Fibre aimed to reach 2,50,000 gram panchayats in the next few years and 1,00,000 will be reached in the first phase by next year.

    Phase II aimed to reach the rest through underground optic fibre, towers, radio and satellite which had already connected ten to 12 per cent of the country.

    He also said that the country had adopted an liberal foreign direct investment regime with 74 per cent FDI being allowed in this sector. He claimed that India had received $ 200 billion in the last two years.

    He said 90 per cent of the 6,00,000 villages in the country were covered by mobile phones and he wanted internet proliferation to growth on the same path. He said that Internet had grown from 300 to 400 million (from 30 to 40 crore) in fourteen months. The only way to reach all villages was a combination of broadband and smartphones.

    All services that benefit people were expected to be online in the next two years, he said.

    He said all this presented great opportunities for satellite communications and said the policy environment was conducive for this and was being further changed for migration to new technologies.

    He said that even virtual network operator licences were not available in the country, he concluded, adding that ‘satcom is an idea whose time has come.’

    In a message read out in absentia, Indian Space Research Organisation chairman and secretary in the Department of Space A S Kiran Kumar said it was necessary to set up robust growth technology and the networks to receive this.

    Hughes Networks Systems president Pranav Roach said, “We know broadband penetration levels are extremely low in India. High throughput satellites are a natural fit to help improve broadband penetration. Satellite broadband is a proven technology, delivering high-speed services to users worldwide. Ka-band satellite-based networks are able to deliver affordable, immediate and ubiquitous broadband access to users.”

    He said it was ironic that India was the largest exporter of software but lagged behind in consumption, and therefore government had to step in to help the industry.

    BIF chairman M F Farooqui said “Broadband in India will have to be delivered not by one technology but through a mix of technologies. Satellite communication is one of the more important means of achieving broadband to the rural and remote areas and for fulfilling the goals of Govt’s Digital India initiative.”

    Phases X and V Satcast, USA, Chairman and CEO Ven Fotheringham said the cost of distribution, the increasing demand for more content through video and OTT, and the need for newer and better set top boxes were some of the problems that had to be grappled with. He said in the United States, 72 per cent of the content was generated by just 30 per cent experts within the country.

    The summit in different sessions deliberated on the deployment of satellite communication (satcom) technologies – existing and next generation – to expedite penetration of affordable Broadband in India, especially in remote, rural regions, to complement other broadband technologies such as optical fibre, mobile, cable etc.

    BIF president T V Ramachandran said “India has much to gain once broadband penetration, currently at a low 10 per cent or so, picks up momentum from new technology innovations and investments. Satellite sommunication technologies with its manifold innovations & applications could lead the country to the cusp of a digital revolution with associated boost to the efforts of other initiatives like Make in India, Skilling India and a spurt in FDI.”

    The summit deliberations also covered policy and regulatory issues to drive deployment of satcom technologies in support of national socio-economic programs such as Digital India, Make in India and Broadband for all. But such flagship programs need billions of dollars in annual funds – a huge challenge due to misconceptions surrounding satcom technologies. Though one of the fastest means to ensure Internet and Broadband connectivity across India, satcom is erroneously termed as unaffordable, inaccessible and, therefore, unavailable for deployment in India’s highly price-sensitive market. This is as erroneous as the early 1990s’ perception that mobile phones were expensive technology toys not needed by common people.

    The summit speakers stressed broadband service over satellite needed to be affordable (consumer price), accessible (all across India) and available 24×7 (both fixed location and mobile). Affordability is crucial because Broadband Satellite services in India are far more expensive than in the US (284 times on a normalized scale of package capacity, services price and pricing parity). Innovation, long-term commitment of public projects, liberalised policies that attract more local private players and foreign companies were important measures to curb costs and ensure affordability. These measures could also boost accessibility and availability.

  • TRAI advocates help of cable operators to spread broadband

    TRAI advocates help of cable operators to spread broadband

    NEW DELHI: Telecom Regulatory Authority of India chairman R S Sharma said connectivity was vital for digital India and Aadhaar had built the foundation for online linkages, adding that cable digital television systems could be used to enable delivery of broadband.

    Speaking as the chief guest at the 2nd International Summit ‘India Satcom – 2016’ on the theme of Broadband for all using NextGen Satellite Technologies. Sharma admitted that certain ‘policy constraints have to be crossed.’

    He said internet connectivity in India was barely fifteen per cent, though wireless connectivity was growing at a fast pace through smartphones. There were only twenty million phones in the country but almost the entire country was connected through mobile phones. He also suggested the introduction of wi-fi at all public places.

    Referring to the Ka Band on satellite as earlier speakers had said the C-Band and Ku-band were already exhausted, Sharma said that the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India had issued a paper in this connection in April last year.

    The summit organized by the Broadband India Forum was aimed at showcasing the scope of catalysing achievement of socio-economic objectives with the use of innovations in Satellite Communications technology. It was supported by the Department of Electronic and Information Technology.

    Department of Telecom Secretary and Telecom Commission chairman J S Deepak stressed the need of satellites for reaching difficult terrains and said that a new network in ten states using 2,200 towers had been put into operation for this purpose. Twelve per cent of the communication in these states was through satellite.

    He said the Bharat Net Optic Fibre aimed to reach 2,50,000 gram panchayats in the next few years and 1,00,000 will be reached in the first phase by next year.

    Phase II aimed to reach the rest through underground optic fibre, towers, radio and satellite which had already connected ten to 12 per cent of the country.

    He also said that the country had adopted an liberal foreign direct investment regime with 74 per cent FDI being allowed in this sector. He claimed that India had received $ 200 billion in the last two years.

    He said 90 per cent of the 6,00,000 villages in the country were covered by mobile phones and he wanted internet proliferation to growth on the same path. He said that Internet had grown from 300 to 400 million (from 30 to 40 crore) in fourteen months. The only way to reach all villages was a combination of broadband and smartphones.

    All services that benefit people were expected to be online in the next two years, he said.

    He said all this presented great opportunities for satellite communications and said the policy environment was conducive for this and was being further changed for migration to new technologies.

    He said that even virtual network operator licences were not available in the country, he concluded, adding that ‘satcom is an idea whose time has come.’

    In a message read out in absentia, Indian Space Research Organisation chairman and secretary in the Department of Space A S Kiran Kumar said it was necessary to set up robust growth technology and the networks to receive this.

    Hughes Networks Systems president Pranav Roach said, “We know broadband penetration levels are extremely low in India. High throughput satellites are a natural fit to help improve broadband penetration. Satellite broadband is a proven technology, delivering high-speed services to users worldwide. Ka-band satellite-based networks are able to deliver affordable, immediate and ubiquitous broadband access to users.”

    He said it was ironic that India was the largest exporter of software but lagged behind in consumption, and therefore government had to step in to help the industry.

    BIF chairman M F Farooqui said “Broadband in India will have to be delivered not by one technology but through a mix of technologies. Satellite communication is one of the more important means of achieving broadband to the rural and remote areas and for fulfilling the goals of Govt’s Digital India initiative.”

    Phases X and V Satcast, USA, Chairman and CEO Ven Fotheringham said the cost of distribution, the increasing demand for more content through video and OTT, and the need for newer and better set top boxes were some of the problems that had to be grappled with. He said in the United States, 72 per cent of the content was generated by just 30 per cent experts within the country.

    The summit in different sessions deliberated on the deployment of satellite communication (satcom) technologies – existing and next generation – to expedite penetration of affordable Broadband in India, especially in remote, rural regions, to complement other broadband technologies such as optical fibre, mobile, cable etc.

    BIF president T V Ramachandran said “India has much to gain once broadband penetration, currently at a low 10 per cent or so, picks up momentum from new technology innovations and investments. Satellite sommunication technologies with its manifold innovations & applications could lead the country to the cusp of a digital revolution with associated boost to the efforts of other initiatives like Make in India, Skilling India and a spurt in FDI.”

    The summit deliberations also covered policy and regulatory issues to drive deployment of satcom technologies in support of national socio-economic programs such as Digital India, Make in India and Broadband for all. But such flagship programs need billions of dollars in annual funds – a huge challenge due to misconceptions surrounding satcom technologies. Though one of the fastest means to ensure Internet and Broadband connectivity across India, satcom is erroneously termed as unaffordable, inaccessible and, therefore, unavailable for deployment in India’s highly price-sensitive market. This is as erroneous as the early 1990s’ perception that mobile phones were expensive technology toys not needed by common people.

    The summit speakers stressed broadband service over satellite needed to be affordable (consumer price), accessible (all across India) and available 24×7 (both fixed location and mobile). Affordability is crucial because Broadband Satellite services in India are far more expensive than in the US (284 times on a normalized scale of package capacity, services price and pricing parity). Innovation, long-term commitment of public projects, liberalised policies that attract more local private players and foreign companies were important measures to curb costs and ensure affordability. These measures could also boost accessibility and availability.

  • Sixteen vans touring states to create awareness about digital and satellite technology

    Sixteen vans touring states to create awareness about digital and satellite technology

    NEW DELHI: A total of sixteen vans are traveling to 34 districts of nine states to introduce one million citizens (10 lakh) to services only possible via interplay of Satellite Technology along with other existing Broadband technologies, such as optical fibre, mobile, cable, etc. The vans were flagged off by Communications and Information Technology minister Ravi Shankar Prasad last week as part of the Digital India Outreach Campaign.

    The Broadband India Forum (BIF) has acknowledged Government efforts to deliver connectivity and Broadband to remote and difficult-to-access parts of India.

    The 2nd International India Satcom -2016 summit organized by the Forum on 7 June is aimed at showcasing the scope of catalysing achievement of socio-economic objectives with the use of innovations in Satellite Communications technology.

    Inviting the delegates to the meet, Forum President TV Ramachandran said: “Digital India, Make in India and Broadband for All will require integration of many parallel technologies that have high potential but are less understood, such as Satellite Communication (Satcom), to achieve a dream that’s close to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s heart. Integration will expedite penetration of affordable Broadband in India, particularly in remote, rural regions. BIF has always propagated enhancement and integration of new technologies that can expedite penetration of affordable Broadband in India to complement other Broadband technologies, such as optical fibre, mobile, cable, etc. Our objective through this summit is to bring all Broadband technology players on board to support the Digital India initiative.”

    The meet is focusing on the theme ‘Broadband for All using NextGen Satellite Technologies’. Dr.Jitendra Singh, minister of State for the Ministry of Development of North East Region, Prime Minister Office, Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions, Department of Atomic Energy and Department of Space is the Chief Guest.

    The event is supported by The Department of Electronics and Information Technology (DeitY), C and IT Ministry.

    BIF said sector reforms are expected to bring in FDI worth $2-5 billion over the next decade. Liberalisation and reforms of satellite communication policy harbours potential for successful deployment of Broadband under Digital India for all 2,50,000 Gram panchayats in just 12 to 18 months.

    The summit will witness deliberations on the viability of Satellite Communications for Digital India and possible Next Gen Satcom Innovation & Applications by senior members from the Government, including DoT, TRAI, DoS, Niti Aayog, Dept. of Industrial Policy & Promotion (DIPP), DeitY and Indian Council for Research on International Economic Relations (ICRIER) departments and representatives from Leading Satellite Operators, VSAT Service Providers, Telecom Service Providers, Internet Service Providers, Technology Providers, VSAT Manufacturers, Cable Service Providers, User Organisations (Banks, Oil & Gas, Defence, Security Forces etc), DTH Service Providers, and other allied Industries.

  • Sixteen vans touring states to create awareness about digital and satellite technology

    Sixteen vans touring states to create awareness about digital and satellite technology

    NEW DELHI: A total of sixteen vans are traveling to 34 districts of nine states to introduce one million citizens (10 lakh) to services only possible via interplay of Satellite Technology along with other existing Broadband technologies, such as optical fibre, mobile, cable, etc. The vans were flagged off by Communications and Information Technology minister Ravi Shankar Prasad last week as part of the Digital India Outreach Campaign.

    The Broadband India Forum (BIF) has acknowledged Government efforts to deliver connectivity and Broadband to remote and difficult-to-access parts of India.

    The 2nd International India Satcom -2016 summit organized by the Forum on 7 June is aimed at showcasing the scope of catalysing achievement of socio-economic objectives with the use of innovations in Satellite Communications technology.

    Inviting the delegates to the meet, Forum President TV Ramachandran said: “Digital India, Make in India and Broadband for All will require integration of many parallel technologies that have high potential but are less understood, such as Satellite Communication (Satcom), to achieve a dream that’s close to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s heart. Integration will expedite penetration of affordable Broadband in India, particularly in remote, rural regions. BIF has always propagated enhancement and integration of new technologies that can expedite penetration of affordable Broadband in India to complement other Broadband technologies, such as optical fibre, mobile, cable, etc. Our objective through this summit is to bring all Broadband technology players on board to support the Digital India initiative.”

    The meet is focusing on the theme ‘Broadband for All using NextGen Satellite Technologies’. Dr.Jitendra Singh, minister of State for the Ministry of Development of North East Region, Prime Minister Office, Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions, Department of Atomic Energy and Department of Space is the Chief Guest.

    The event is supported by The Department of Electronics and Information Technology (DeitY), C and IT Ministry.

    BIF said sector reforms are expected to bring in FDI worth $2-5 billion over the next decade. Liberalisation and reforms of satellite communication policy harbours potential for successful deployment of Broadband under Digital India for all 2,50,000 Gram panchayats in just 12 to 18 months.

    The summit will witness deliberations on the viability of Satellite Communications for Digital India and possible Next Gen Satcom Innovation & Applications by senior members from the Government, including DoT, TRAI, DoS, Niti Aayog, Dept. of Industrial Policy & Promotion (DIPP), DeitY and Indian Council for Research on International Economic Relations (ICRIER) departments and representatives from Leading Satellite Operators, VSAT Service Providers, Telecom Service Providers, Internet Service Providers, Technology Providers, VSAT Manufacturers, Cable Service Providers, User Organisations (Banks, Oil & Gas, Defence, Security Forces etc), DTH Service Providers, and other allied Industries.

  • Assembling imported parts not ‘Make in India’ says Broadband Forum

    Assembling imported parts not ‘Make in India’ says Broadband Forum

    NEW DELHI: Observing that assembling in India goes against the very principle of Make in India, the Broadband India Forum has criticized the decision to roll back import duties levied on mobile phone components and said this “is a step not in sync with encouraging manufacture of these items in India.”

    BIF, a dedicated Forum with representation from Telecom Service Providers, Technology Providers, R&D and Chip Design Companies, System Integrator, Project Management, Service & Solution Provide, MSO and DTH, Satellite & VSAT Service Providers, in its appeal to the Communication and Information Technology ministry has requested immediate withdrawal of the import duty rollback on populated PCBs and phone accessories in the interest of ‘Design in India’ as these equipments provide maximum opportunity for design and R&D.        

    In its recent Notification of 5 May 2016, the government decided to roll back import duties levied on components of mobile phones in the Union Budget 2016. The notification brought down the duty on chargers, batteries and headsets from 29 percent to 12.5 percent (at par with that of imported handsets) and lowered the duty on populated PCBs (printed circuit boards) to 0 percent from 2 percent (instead of raising it to 12.5 percent).

    In ia note to the Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion and the Department of Telecom,  the BIF has highlighted that no entity will design and invest in R&D in India if the PCB continues to be imported from China at 0 percent (zero) duty in fully-manufactured form. Though the increase in duty on imported handsets by 12.5 percent has increased manufacturing intensity of mobile phones in India from 5 million/year (50 lakh/year) to 100 million/year (10 crore/year), the local value addition is hardly 1 to 2 percent. Therefore, increasing duty on populated PCBs is the next logical step.

    BIF president T V Ramachandran remarked, “While the industry was hoping the government moved ahead with its 2015 initiative, this recent announcement has pushed the country back to the days of phone assembly, instead of progressing to a phased-manufacturing regime. This notification goes against the letter and spirit of the stated intent of the government, which is to gradually reduce the electronic imports and achieve ‘Net Zero Imports’ by 2020 under ‘Make in India’, as part of the Digital India action plan. Therefore, we request the government to withdraw this notification immediately.”

    The mere assembly of PCBs in India will immediately increase value addition to 10 percent from the current 1 percent, with scope of increasing it further with investment in ‘Design in India’ and R&D. It will also raise the quality of jobs and prevent these moving to other markets (in case they provide better economic conditions than India), and encourage component manufacturing in India by enabling components to be consumed in India (most components used in mobile phones are housed in PCBs).

    In its request, BIF also highlighted that India faces a unique challenge in terms of compulsion to encourage and initiate indigenous design and manufacturing or ‘Make in India’ with higher local value addition. Accordingly, it is imperative to work towards reduction of the exponentially increasing Import Bill for electronics/telecom equipment and services – an expense expected to surpass the oil import bill by 2020 (estimated at $ 400 billion).

     

  • Assembling imported parts not ‘Make in India’ says Broadband Forum

    Assembling imported parts not ‘Make in India’ says Broadband Forum

    NEW DELHI: Observing that assembling in India goes against the very principle of Make in India, the Broadband India Forum has criticized the decision to roll back import duties levied on mobile phone components and said this “is a step not in sync with encouraging manufacture of these items in India.”

    BIF, a dedicated Forum with representation from Telecom Service Providers, Technology Providers, R&D and Chip Design Companies, System Integrator, Project Management, Service & Solution Provide, MSO and DTH, Satellite & VSAT Service Providers, in its appeal to the Communication and Information Technology ministry has requested immediate withdrawal of the import duty rollback on populated PCBs and phone accessories in the interest of ‘Design in India’ as these equipments provide maximum opportunity for design and R&D.        

    In its recent Notification of 5 May 2016, the government decided to roll back import duties levied on components of mobile phones in the Union Budget 2016. The notification brought down the duty on chargers, batteries and headsets from 29 percent to 12.5 percent (at par with that of imported handsets) and lowered the duty on populated PCBs (printed circuit boards) to 0 percent from 2 percent (instead of raising it to 12.5 percent).

    In ia note to the Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion and the Department of Telecom,  the BIF has highlighted that no entity will design and invest in R&D in India if the PCB continues to be imported from China at 0 percent (zero) duty in fully-manufactured form. Though the increase in duty on imported handsets by 12.5 percent has increased manufacturing intensity of mobile phones in India from 5 million/year (50 lakh/year) to 100 million/year (10 crore/year), the local value addition is hardly 1 to 2 percent. Therefore, increasing duty on populated PCBs is the next logical step.

    BIF president T V Ramachandran remarked, “While the industry was hoping the government moved ahead with its 2015 initiative, this recent announcement has pushed the country back to the days of phone assembly, instead of progressing to a phased-manufacturing regime. This notification goes against the letter and spirit of the stated intent of the government, which is to gradually reduce the electronic imports and achieve ‘Net Zero Imports’ by 2020 under ‘Make in India’, as part of the Digital India action plan. Therefore, we request the government to withdraw this notification immediately.”

    The mere assembly of PCBs in India will immediately increase value addition to 10 percent from the current 1 percent, with scope of increasing it further with investment in ‘Design in India’ and R&D. It will also raise the quality of jobs and prevent these moving to other markets (in case they provide better economic conditions than India), and encourage component manufacturing in India by enabling components to be consumed in India (most components used in mobile phones are housed in PCBs).

    In its request, BIF also highlighted that India faces a unique challenge in terms of compulsion to encourage and initiate indigenous design and manufacturing or ‘Make in India’ with higher local value addition. Accordingly, it is imperative to work towards reduction of the exponentially increasing Import Bill for electronics/telecom equipment and services – an expense expected to surpass the oil import bill by 2020 (estimated at $ 400 billion).

     

  • India SatCom-2015: Ushering in a new era

    India SatCom-2015: Ushering in a new era

    MUMBAI: Accounting for approximately 17 per cent of the global population and with a growing middle class and a large population still living in rural & remote areas, India presents large market opportunities for satellite communication services. With the government’s focus on ‘Digital India’, one of the significant market enablers for broadband penetration shall be over satellite, as a large share of the population still remain beyond the reach of the terrestrial broadband network including fiber and cable.

    To shake off  the inertia and cynicism and bring about an awakening call to the policy makers for the need to refocus on satellite communication policy and to realise the dream and vision of our Hon’ble Prime Minister – Narendra Modi to make  “ Digital India “ –India’s road map for providing inclusive growth & development for its entire population of 1.3 billion, we are organising a unique day long seminar about Satellite Communication and how we can use this technology to transform  the lives of the people of India. On behalf of Broadband India Forum ( BIF ), we are pleased to invite you to attend this gala event to be held on 16 January 2015 at  Hotel Le Meridien , Janpath, New Delhi  from 10am.  The theme of the conference is India Satcom-2015: Ushering in a new era.

    The chief architect of the ‘Digital India’ program- Hon’ble Minister of Communications & IT-Shri Ravi Shankar Prasad ji has been invited to grace the occasion by inaugurating the conference and delivering the inaugural address.

    The dignitaries who have been extended the invitation to be a part of the conference are Rahul Khullar, Chairperson- TRAI, Rita Teotia, Special Secretary- Dept. of Telecom and Kiran Karnik prominent Indian administrator chiefly known for his work in the broadcasting and outsourcing industries, RK Arnold, Member TRAI besides leading industry veterans viz. Vern Fotheringham-CEO & MD, Kymeta Corp, USA who shall be delivering the keynote address & David Hartshorn-Secretary General, Global VSAT Forum ( GVF ) who shall be bringing an international perspective  to the discussions.

    The occasion will also see the release of the White Paper on Satellite Vision – 2020 besides the launch of the India SatCom Forum under the aegis of Broadband India Forum. This will be entrusted to take the recommendations of the conference forward and work diligently to provide industry inputs in the New Satcom Policy-2015.

    The conference is expected to be attended by eminent visionaries, technocrats, industry specialists and bureaucrats from Telecom Regulatory Authority of India, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Doordarshan, Prasar Bharati, Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited, Department of Telecommunications, Government of India, Telecom Engineering Center, Indian Space research Organization / ANTRIX,WPC (Wireless Planning & Coordination Wing) and from the Broadcasters, Satellite Service Providers,Satellite Operators, Telecom Service Providers, Broadband Service Providers / Internet service Providers, DTH Operators , VSAT Service Providers, System Integrators, Technology Providers  and Users.

    The conference has been supported by two large international organisations- the Global VSAT Forum (GVF)  and the Cable & Satellite Broadcasters Association (CASBAA).