ITV

Tag: Digital India

  • Wi-fi proliferation: Discussion on 20 Dec

    Wi-fi proliferation: Discussion on 20 Dec

    NEW DELHI: In view of the importance attached to public Wi-Fi systems, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India will be holding an open house discussion on 20 December 2016 in the capital on its consultation paper on “Proliferation of Broadband through Public Wi-Fi Networks” issued on 13 July 2016.

    The issuance of this paper was followed by reactions and then a workshop in Bengaluru.

    Through a set of 12 questions, the Authority had sought to get the opinion of stakeholders including internet and telecom service providers on how best Wi-fi (an acronym for Wireless Fidelity) can grow in the country.

    At the outset, the regulator had noted that the growth of Internet penetration in India and realisation of its full potential is closely tied to the proliferation of broadband services. “Broadband” is currently defined to mean a data connection that is able to support interactive services, including Internet access, with the capability of a minimum download speed of 512 kbps. It therefore refers to a means of delivering high-speed Internet access services.

    Later, on 16 November, TRAI issued a second paper on model for nation-wide interoperable and scalable wi-fi networks.

    Earlier, TRAI had said it realised the importance of public Wi-Fi networks as complementary to existing landline and cellular mobile infrastructure in improving broadband penetration and adoption of Digital India.

    The objective of the new paper issued last month posing six questions was two-fold:

    a) To explore whether the model proposed in this Note can be incorporated in Public Wi-Fi networks to promote appropriate monetization and business models for sustainable and scalable infrastructure deployment.

    b) To explore the roles of different stakeholders in the Public Wi-Fi network value chain and build an ecosystem for promoting scalable and sustainable partnerships for large scale nation wide deployment.

    Also read:

    Public Wi-Fi: TRAI plans to evolve model, releases paper

     

  • Regulation must facilitate tech, not kill it: TRAI chief

    Regulation must facilitate tech, not kill it: TRAI chief

    NEW DELHI: The chief regulator of India’s telecom and broadcast carriage sectors has said regulation should not kill a technology, fledgling or otherwise, and that consumer interest and a level playing field for all players should be the basis for tech-related regulations.

    “Technology must be facilitated by regulation, not throttled by it, “Telecoms and Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) chairman RS Sharma said on Tuesday while speaking at the opening session of Technology Summit 2016, organised by Carnegie India.

    The TRAI chief, criticised by many for catering to populist measures and bringing in regulations that impede new technology and innovation, said that “consumer protection and creating a level playing field for all are our guidelines for regulating technology.”

    The tech summit was organised with an aim to bring together technologists, entrepreneurs, academics and policy makers to reflect on rapid technological changes and recommend policy measures to harness this transformation for India’s development.

    Pointing out that India the `Digital India’ initiative — one of the pet schemes of PM Modi — is about digital infrastructure, software innovation and empowering citizens to use technology, Sharma said, “ India can lead the world in technology and share the architecture of regulatory principles that has been created.”

    Highlighting the digital innovations introduced by the present government in New Delhi, Sharma said e-signature, for example, was one such move and costs “Rs.1 thanks to #Aadhar, a paperless, robust, digital identity that protects (individual) privacy.” He also stressed that focus of digitisation was to provide digital “identity infrastructure to all the citizens of India”.

    Indiantelevision.com was not present at the Carnegie India tech summit in Bengaluru held on December 6 and 7, 2016 and this news report has been drafted based on a series of tweets by the organisers and re-tweeted by Sharma via his Twitter handle @rssharma3.

  • Regulation must facilitate tech, not kill it: TRAI chief

    Regulation must facilitate tech, not kill it: TRAI chief

    NEW DELHI: The chief regulator of India’s telecom and broadcast carriage sectors has said regulation should not kill a technology, fledgling or otherwise, and that consumer interest and a level playing field for all players should be the basis for tech-related regulations.

    “Technology must be facilitated by regulation, not throttled by it, “Telecoms and Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) chairman RS Sharma said on Tuesday while speaking at the opening session of Technology Summit 2016, organised by Carnegie India.

    The TRAI chief, criticised by many for catering to populist measures and bringing in regulations that impede new technology and innovation, said that “consumer protection and creating a level playing field for all are our guidelines for regulating technology.”

    The tech summit was organised with an aim to bring together technologists, entrepreneurs, academics and policy makers to reflect on rapid technological changes and recommend policy measures to harness this transformation for India’s development.

    Pointing out that India the `Digital India’ initiative — one of the pet schemes of PM Modi — is about digital infrastructure, software innovation and empowering citizens to use technology, Sharma said, “ India can lead the world in technology and share the architecture of regulatory principles that has been created.”

    Highlighting the digital innovations introduced by the present government in New Delhi, Sharma said e-signature, for example, was one such move and costs “Rs.1 thanks to #Aadhar, a paperless, robust, digital identity that protects (individual) privacy.” He also stressed that focus of digitisation was to provide digital “identity infrastructure to all the citizens of India”.

    Indiantelevision.com was not present at the Carnegie India tech summit in Bengaluru held on December 6 and 7, 2016 and this news report has been drafted based on a series of tweets by the organisers and re-tweeted by Sharma via his Twitter handle @rssharma3.

  • E-comm ecosystem to create 1.45 million jobs by ’21: KPMG-Snapdeal

    E-comm ecosystem to create 1.45 million jobs by ’21: KPMG-Snapdeal

    MUMBAI: Ecommerce sector is powering employment generation in India, a report by Snapdeal & KPMG has concluded.

    Snapdeal, in partnership with KPMG today released the findings of a study examining the macro-impact of the e-tail industry and the associated ecosystem, on the employment landscape in India. The study titled Impact of Ecommerce on Employment in India focuses on the role of e-tail in socio-economic development, outlining the alignment of measures with key government initiatives like Make in India, Digital India, Start-up India and Skilling India, among others.

    Highlights from the Study
    o  E-tail and allied ecosystem (logistics, warehousing, IT, ITeS) is expected to create direct employment for around 1.45 million workforce by 2021
    o  Logistics and warehousing sector is expected to be the largest contributor (approximately 55%) to direct employment opportunities in e-tail
    o  E-tail is expected to add 0.4 million high-skilled jobs by 2021
    o E-commerce in improving the socio-economic environment
    o  Impacted employment generation beyond metros –  70% of the online sellers expected to come from smaller towns by 2018-19
    o  Driving women empowerment and self-sustainability –  20% of total online sellers today are women
    o  Government initiatives like Make in India, Digital India, Start-Up India, Skill India will fuel growth and generate further employment for e-commerce

    The study further outlines the potential challenges and shares recommendations on the different roles that various participants like the government, industry bodies and e-commerce companies themselves can play in building more employment avenues and up-skilling.

    Snapdeal Co-founder and CEO Kunal Bahl said, “The impact of e-commerce industry on the entire employment landscape has been the most exciting part of India’s digital growth story, and yet often the least spoken about. Through this report, we aim to highlight how the industry is generating direct and indirect jobs in core and associated industries, creating entrepreneurship opportunities in the deepest pockets of India and how it is influencing the socio-economic fabric of the country for a more balanced development.  At Snapdeal, we are working towards building the most reliable and frictionless digital commerce ecosystem in the country and we recognize the deep-seated role of our talent pool, our sellers and other associated partners in achieving this. We felt the need to conduct a systematic study to identify opportunities and challenges, that will further build models and skill sets to foster a mature, sustainable employment avenue. Our entrepreneurial culture and initiatives play a pivotal role in up-skilling our workforce for addressing the consumption needs of India.”

    KPMG India CEO Richard Rekhy said, “The contribution made by the e-commerce industry in employment creation is something that has been recognized for a while now. This report highlights how this impact can be increased multi-fold by facilitating an ecosystem of growth for the industry – developing a skilled workforce, promoting entrepreneurship, improving physical infrastructure, facilitating participation of SMEs and MSMEs, defining clear regulatory frameworks, and providing easier access to funds, etc. to name a few areas which require attention. These measures will ensure that growth in this industry becomes self-sustaining to support the expanding employment opportunities that it can offer.  With innovation and mobile e-commerce leading the way, this industry also looks to propel growth and generate abundant demand for IT/ITeS professionals in the years to come.”

    This report is part of a series of initiatives that Snapdeal has undertaken to build wider understanding about the evolving e-commerce landscape, and its seen and unseen impact on the country’s economy. This follows a previous study by KPMG, Impact of E-commerce on SMEs in India, which focused on creating an ecosystem for MSMEs and leveraging e-commerce for their growth.

  • E-comm ecosystem to create 1.45 million jobs by ’21: KPMG-Snapdeal

    E-comm ecosystem to create 1.45 million jobs by ’21: KPMG-Snapdeal

    MUMBAI: Ecommerce sector is powering employment generation in India, a report by Snapdeal & KPMG has concluded.

    Snapdeal, in partnership with KPMG today released the findings of a study examining the macro-impact of the e-tail industry and the associated ecosystem, on the employment landscape in India. The study titled Impact of Ecommerce on Employment in India focuses on the role of e-tail in socio-economic development, outlining the alignment of measures with key government initiatives like Make in India, Digital India, Start-up India and Skilling India, among others.

    Highlights from the Study
    o  E-tail and allied ecosystem (logistics, warehousing, IT, ITeS) is expected to create direct employment for around 1.45 million workforce by 2021
    o  Logistics and warehousing sector is expected to be the largest contributor (approximately 55%) to direct employment opportunities in e-tail
    o  E-tail is expected to add 0.4 million high-skilled jobs by 2021
    o E-commerce in improving the socio-economic environment
    o  Impacted employment generation beyond metros –  70% of the online sellers expected to come from smaller towns by 2018-19
    o  Driving women empowerment and self-sustainability –  20% of total online sellers today are women
    o  Government initiatives like Make in India, Digital India, Start-Up India, Skill India will fuel growth and generate further employment for e-commerce

    The study further outlines the potential challenges and shares recommendations on the different roles that various participants like the government, industry bodies and e-commerce companies themselves can play in building more employment avenues and up-skilling.

    Snapdeal Co-founder and CEO Kunal Bahl said, “The impact of e-commerce industry on the entire employment landscape has been the most exciting part of India’s digital growth story, and yet often the least spoken about. Through this report, we aim to highlight how the industry is generating direct and indirect jobs in core and associated industries, creating entrepreneurship opportunities in the deepest pockets of India and how it is influencing the socio-economic fabric of the country for a more balanced development.  At Snapdeal, we are working towards building the most reliable and frictionless digital commerce ecosystem in the country and we recognize the deep-seated role of our talent pool, our sellers and other associated partners in achieving this. We felt the need to conduct a systematic study to identify opportunities and challenges, that will further build models and skill sets to foster a mature, sustainable employment avenue. Our entrepreneurial culture and initiatives play a pivotal role in up-skilling our workforce for addressing the consumption needs of India.”

    KPMG India CEO Richard Rekhy said, “The contribution made by the e-commerce industry in employment creation is something that has been recognized for a while now. This report highlights how this impact can be increased multi-fold by facilitating an ecosystem of growth for the industry – developing a skilled workforce, promoting entrepreneurship, improving physical infrastructure, facilitating participation of SMEs and MSMEs, defining clear regulatory frameworks, and providing easier access to funds, etc. to name a few areas which require attention. These measures will ensure that growth in this industry becomes self-sustaining to support the expanding employment opportunities that it can offer.  With innovation and mobile e-commerce leading the way, this industry also looks to propel growth and generate abundant demand for IT/ITeS professionals in the years to come.”

    This report is part of a series of initiatives that Snapdeal has undertaken to build wider understanding about the evolving e-commerce landscape, and its seen and unseen impact on the country’s economy. This follows a previous study by KPMG, Impact of E-commerce on SMEs in India, which focused on creating an ecosystem for MSMEs and leveraging e-commerce for their growth.

  • Public Wi-Fi: TRAI extends time for responses

    Public Wi-Fi: TRAI extends time for responses

    NEW DELHI: In view of the importance attached to public Wi-Fi systems, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India has extended time for responses to its consultation paper till 9 December 2016 but stressed no further extension would be given.

    The paper issued on 15 November was the second one issued on the subject of Wi-Fi and dealt with scalable public interoperability of Wi-Fi networks.

    Earlier, TRAI had said it realised the importance of public Wi-Fi networks as complementary to existing landline and cellular mobile infrastructure in improving broadband penetration and adoption of Digital India. Earlier on 13 July 2016, TRAI had issued a paper on “Proliferation of Broadband through Public Wi-Fi Networks” which was followed by reactions and then a workshop in Bengaluru.

    The objective of the new paper posing six questions is two-fold:

    a) To explore whether the model proposed in this Note can be incorporated in Public Wi-Fi networks to promote appropriate monetisation and business models for sustainable and scalable infrastructure deployment.

    b) To explore the roles of different stakeholders in the Public Wi-Fi network value chain and build an ecosystem for promoting scalable and sustainable partnerships for large scale nation wide deployment.

    Also read:  Public Wi-Fi: TRAI plans to evolve model, releases paper

  • Public Wi-Fi: TRAI extends time for responses

    Public Wi-Fi: TRAI extends time for responses

    NEW DELHI: In view of the importance attached to public Wi-Fi systems, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India has extended time for responses to its consultation paper till 9 December 2016 but stressed no further extension would be given.

    The paper issued on 15 November was the second one issued on the subject of Wi-Fi and dealt with scalable public interoperability of Wi-Fi networks.

    Earlier, TRAI had said it realised the importance of public Wi-Fi networks as complementary to existing landline and cellular mobile infrastructure in improving broadband penetration and adoption of Digital India. Earlier on 13 July 2016, TRAI had issued a paper on “Proliferation of Broadband through Public Wi-Fi Networks” which was followed by reactions and then a workshop in Bengaluru.

    The objective of the new paper posing six questions is two-fold:

    a) To explore whether the model proposed in this Note can be incorporated in Public Wi-Fi networks to promote appropriate monetisation and business models for sustainable and scalable infrastructure deployment.

    b) To explore the roles of different stakeholders in the Public Wi-Fi network value chain and build an ecosystem for promoting scalable and sustainable partnerships for large scale nation wide deployment.

    Also read:  Public Wi-Fi: TRAI plans to evolve model, releases paper

  • Public Wi-Fi: TRAI plans to evolve model, releases paper

    Public Wi-Fi: TRAI plans to evolve model, releases paper

    NEW DELHI: Realising the importance of public Wi-Fi networks as complementary to existing landline and cellular mobile infrastructure in improving broadband penetration and adoption of Digital India, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India has released a second consultation paper Wi-fi this year.

    TRAI wants reactions on the paper on model for nation-wide interoperable and scalable wi-fi networks by 25 November.

    The objective of the new paper is two-fold:

    a) To explore whether the model proposed in this Note can be incorporated in Public Wi-Fi networks to promote appropriate monetization and business models for sustainable and scalable infrastructure deployment.

    b) To explore the roles of different stakeholders in the Public Wi-Fi network value chain and build an ecosystem for promoting scalable and sustainable partnerships for large scale nation wide deployment.

    Earlier on 13 July 2016, TRAI had issued a paper on “Proliferation of Broadband through Public Wi-Fi Networks” which was followed by reactions and then a workshop in Bengaluru.

    A few of the important issues pointed out in the consultation paper for a successful, scalable and sustainable public Wi-Fi infrastructure in the country include (i) technical interoperability and seamless connectivity of Wi-Fi networks (ii) innovative payment, commercialization, and monetization models; and (iii) collaborative partnerships between various entities of the ecosystem.

    Public Wi-Fi networks can be effective complement to the wired and wireless mobile broadband infrastructure in the country to achieve the vision of Digital India as stated above.

    In view of the discussions held, the questions posed by TRAI are:

    Q1. Is the architecture suggested in the consultation note for creating unified authentication and payment infrastructure will enable nationwide standard for authentication and payment interoperability?

    Q2. Would you like to suggest any alternate model?

    Q3. Can Public Wi-Fi access providers resell capacity and bandwidth to retail users? Is “light touch regulation” using methods such as “registration” instead of “licensing” preferred for them?

    Q4. What should be the regulatory guidelines on “unbundling” Wi-Fi at access and backhaul level?

    Q5. Whether reselling of bandwidth should be allowed to venue owners such as shop keepers through Wi-Fi at premise? In such a scenario please suggest the mechanism for security compliance

    Q6. What should be the guidelines regarding sharing of costs and revenue across all entities in the public Wi-Fi value chain? Is regulatory intervention required or it should be left to forbearance and individual contracting?

  • Public Wi-Fi: TRAI plans to evolve model, releases paper

    Public Wi-Fi: TRAI plans to evolve model, releases paper

    NEW DELHI: Realising the importance of public Wi-Fi networks as complementary to existing landline and cellular mobile infrastructure in improving broadband penetration and adoption of Digital India, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India has released a second consultation paper Wi-fi this year.

    TRAI wants reactions on the paper on model for nation-wide interoperable and scalable wi-fi networks by 25 November.

    The objective of the new paper is two-fold:

    a) To explore whether the model proposed in this Note can be incorporated in Public Wi-Fi networks to promote appropriate monetization and business models for sustainable and scalable infrastructure deployment.

    b) To explore the roles of different stakeholders in the Public Wi-Fi network value chain and build an ecosystem for promoting scalable and sustainable partnerships for large scale nation wide deployment.

    Earlier on 13 July 2016, TRAI had issued a paper on “Proliferation of Broadband through Public Wi-Fi Networks” which was followed by reactions and then a workshop in Bengaluru.

    A few of the important issues pointed out in the consultation paper for a successful, scalable and sustainable public Wi-Fi infrastructure in the country include (i) technical interoperability and seamless connectivity of Wi-Fi networks (ii) innovative payment, commercialization, and monetization models; and (iii) collaborative partnerships between various entities of the ecosystem.

    Public Wi-Fi networks can be effective complement to the wired and wireless mobile broadband infrastructure in the country to achieve the vision of Digital India as stated above.

    In view of the discussions held, the questions posed by TRAI are:

    Q1. Is the architecture suggested in the consultation note for creating unified authentication and payment infrastructure will enable nationwide standard for authentication and payment interoperability?

    Q2. Would you like to suggest any alternate model?

    Q3. Can Public Wi-Fi access providers resell capacity and bandwidth to retail users? Is “light touch regulation” using methods such as “registration” instead of “licensing” preferred for them?

    Q4. What should be the regulatory guidelines on “unbundling” Wi-Fi at access and backhaul level?

    Q5. Whether reselling of bandwidth should be allowed to venue owners such as shop keepers through Wi-Fi at premise? In such a scenario please suggest the mechanism for security compliance

    Q6. What should be the guidelines regarding sharing of costs and revenue across all entities in the public Wi-Fi value chain? Is regulatory intervention required or it should be left to forbearance and individual contracting?

  • India ready for data revolution with 350 million plus Net users: Minister

    India ready for data revolution with 350 million plus Net users: Minister

    NEW DELHI: India’s Telecoms minister Manoj Sinha has said the sector had been growing at a phenomenal pace and was considered as the fastest growing telecom market in the world with the second largest subscriber base with more than 1060 million connectivity, 160 million broadband connections and 350 million plus internet users.

    India is ready for another digital and data revolution, the minister said while inaugurating the 8th Telecom Export Promotion Council’s Buyer-Seller meet earlier this week here.

    (India’s mobile phone revolution has been spurring many media players, global and domestic, to enter the OTT space despite challenges. It is also expected that, with the introduction of 4G technology, the market for streaming video will grow in India.)

    Sinha said the rapid growth of the telecoms sector has fuelled the demand for telecom equipment, including mobile phones, which was worth about $ 20 billion in 2015-16 and is estimated to exceed $ 30 billion by 2020.

    Sinha added that India has all the ingredients of a globally competitive telecom industry like a large domestic market, world class talent, focus on R&D and IPR creation, beside a robust framework for electronic manufacturing, including set-top boxes used in a variety of telecoms and broadcast services.

    According to the Minister, Indian manufacturers have already made significant strides in exports of IT and telecom products to several countries and established that Indian IT and telecom products are of world-class quality and globally competitive on technology and price.

    The massive thrust on ‘Make in India’ and ‘Digital India’ initiatives offers a large opportunity for creation of innovative products and services and India is poised for another digital and data revolution.

    Sinha told the representatives from 28 participating countries from South Asia, South-East Asia, the Caribbean, Latin America and Africa that India holds the distinction of being the fastest growing telecom network, especially with advent of increased broadband penetration.

    Meanwhile, joining issue with his colleague, Electronics and IT minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said that, during the last fiscal ending March 2016, the sector recorded an export of $ 108 billion, which is around 45 per cent of services export from India. The sector gave direct employment to 3.7 million people and around 200,000 additional employment was created in just the past year.

    Prasad said the prime minister Narendra Modi’s government was determined to create a knowledge-based society to “improve effeciency and reach of the services.”

    He said unlike industrial revolution (that India missed), the country was all set to take lead in the ongoing digital revolution.