Apiary-CoE aims to incubate 100 start-ups in the field of blockchain technology and to contribute to government of India's 'Make-in-India' and 'Digital India' programmes

Software Technology Parks of India (STPI) has launched Apiary, a centre of excellence (CoE) in Blockchain and also an 'Idea Challenge Program in Blockchain' at STP incubation centre, Gurugram in association with Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), Government of Haryana, Government Blockchain Association and several blue-chip companies and top tier academic institutions.

Government’s telecom standard body TEC is providing free access to all technical documents to stakeholders with a view to easing manufacturing and public procurement hassles. The access to Generic Requirements (GRS), Interface Requirements (IR), Essential Requirements (ERs) has been made free. Telecom gear makers are required to follow the technical standards set by TEC for supplying telecom equipment. Every player was required to purchase GRs, IRs and ERs for getting their product tested and also submit the same to meet the tender requirement of the public sector telecom firms. 

DoT is expected to provide the spectrum needed by telecom service providers for testing their 5G networks. 5G is the fifth-generation technology standard for cellular networks, superior to the 4G networks which currently provide connectivity to most cellphones. The testing was originally scheduled for March but got delayed because of the COVID-19 pandemic. “Telecom operators will need 6 months of testing 5G devices and spectrum before we begin auctions”. “We are looking at providing the companies with spectrum for the testing by September so that they can begin the process,” the official said.

As India continues to take swift steps towards digitalization, it is also witnessing the rise of new SaaS verticals and segments backed by strategic partnerships. To chart out the imperatives to make India a “Global SaaS Hub”, the National Association of Software and Services Companies (NASSCOM) in partnership with SaaSBOOMi and Zinnov as knowledge partners, today announced the findings of their first in depth SaaS study “Riding the Storm: Towards the Giant India SaaS Opportunity”. Growing at 30% CAGR, India’s SaaS revenue has reached $3.5 billion as of FY2020, with 75% of it coming from global sales.

• TRAI has released recommendations on 'Provision of Cellular Backhaul Connectivity via Satellite through VSAT under Commercial VSAT CUG Service Authorization'. Read more/Download
• Consultation Paper on Roadmap to Promote Broadband Connectivity and Enhanced Broadband Speed. Read more/Download
• Recommendations on Methodology of applying Spectrum Usage Charges (SUC) under the weighted average method of SUC assessment, in cases of Spectrum Sharing. Read more/Download
• Consultation Paper on Regulation of International Mobile Roaming Services. Read more/ Download
• Recommendations on Traffic Management Practices (TMPs) and Multi-Stakeholder Body for Net Neutrality. Read more/Download
• Recommendations on Cloud Services. Read more/Download
• Recommendations on Regulatory Framework for Over-The-Top (OTT) Communication Services. Read more/Download
• Telecom Consumers Protection (Eleventh Amendment) Regulations, 2020. Read more/Download

Meity-NITI launched Digital India AatmaNirbhar Bharat App Innovation Challenge to realise PM's vision of Digital India – AatmaNirbhar Bharat.

Union Minister for Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution launched the Bureau of Indian Standard’s Mobile App ‘BIS-Care’ and three portals – the Standardization, Conformity Assessment and Training Portals of e-BIS on  www.manakonline.in for consumers. The mobile app BIS-Care can be operated on any Android phone and can be downloaded free from Google play store. Consumers can check the authenticity of the ISI-marked and hallmarked products and lodge complaints using this app. The Minister said that the government has taken several steps to protect the interests of consumers.

The Consumer Protection Act,2019 comes in to force from 20 July, with its salient features including the establishment of the Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) to promote, protect and enforce the rights of consumers. This new Act will empower consumers and help them in protecting their rights through its various notified rules and provisions like Consumer Protection Councils, Consumer Disputes Redressal Commissions, Mediation, Product Liability and punishment for manufacture or sale of products containing adulterant / spurious goods.

In tune with the agenda of 'AatmaNirbhar Bharat' (self-reliant India), the government has started promoting 'Make in India' products on government procurement portal Government e-Marketplace (GEM). Launched in 2016, GeM portal is used for online purchases of goods and services by all the central government ministries and departments. Currently, government departments, ministries, public sector units, state governments, and Central Armed Police Forces are allowed to carry out transactions through this portal. Items on sale include a wide range of products - from office stationery to vehicles.

As India strives towards self-reliance, imports of many non-essential items will be curbed from March 2021. BIS is ready with the regulations prescribed by the Commerce Ministry for quality imports, many sub-standard and non-essential imports will be stopped from March 2021. BIS is set to frame quality norms for 371 items by March 2021 which will include multiple segments, from steel, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, and electrical machinery to furniture and toys. The identified tariff lines include Chinese products too and they are trying to frame standards and make them mandatory.