World Telecom Day What does it mean for India

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World Telecom Day What does it mean for India

• S Sadagopan, IIIT-B
• May 17, 2004
• Institution of Engineers, Bangalore

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Talk Outline

• Telecom in India over the years
• Telecom Today
• Telecom as multiplier of wealth
• Telecom for India Tomorrow

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Telecom in India over the years

• 100 years old early start
• Post independent India mistaken notion (telecom
  is for rich), undue security concerns (North
  East, J K), DoT monopoly (rent seeking)
• STD revolution C-DoT
• New Telecom Policy liberalization, global
  players
• Mobile revolution past 3 years

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Telecom Today

• 40 Million Landline subscribers
• 30 Million Wireless subscribers
• Action is on Mobile
• Both GSM / CDMA technology
• Growing at 1.5 Million per month
• Lowest cost in the world
• Broadband is about to take off

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Telecom Today (contd)

• India counts in the global market today
• Telecom software is huge ( 00s of Billions)
• Indians are strong in Telecom (Desh Deshpande)
• Indian companies are doing well in Telecom
  startups (even in Bangalore)
• We count even in Infra (FLAG, Under-sea)

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Telecom as Wealth Multiplier

• Tele-density increases GDP 3 times
• Small businesses benefit Kerala Mallapuraam
• Call Centers
• Support services
• M Commerce (Ring-tones represent 100 Crores
  today growing at 50)
• Phenomenal job increases impact on education,
  auto, insurance, banking, Government, hospitals,
  hospitality, temples .. underestimated

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Telecom for India Tomorrow

• Several Billion Dollar companies
• Several million jobs
• Brings in equity
• Can help in food security, job security, senior
  citizens, under-privileged through inclusion
• Both hardware software opportunity

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