Information and Communications Technology (ICT)

Information and Communications Technology (ICT):

The Information and Communication Technology is a dynamic sector globally. The Ministerial / governmental key players in India in the ICT sector are covered here.

Ministry of Communications

Ministry of Communications is a union ministerial agency under the Government of India responsible for telecommunications and postal service. It consists of two departments viz. Department of Telecommunications and the Department of Posts.

Department of Telecommunications (DoT):

The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) is a department of the Ministry of Communications of the executive branch of the Government of India. The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) is responsible for:

• Policy, Licensing and Coordination matters relating to telegraphs, telephones, wireless, data, facsimile and telematic services and other like forms of communications.
• International cooperation in matters connected with telecommunications including matters relating to all international bodies dealing with telecommunications such as International Telecommunication Union (ITU), its Radio Regulation Board (RRB), Radio Communication Sector (ITU-R), Telecommunication Standardization Sector (ITU-T), Development Sector (ITU-D), International Telecommunication Satellite Organization (INTELSAT), International Mobile Satellite Organization (INMARSAT), Asia Pacific Telecommunication (APT).
• Promotion of standardization, research and development in telecommunications.
• Promotion of private investment in Telecommunications.
• Financial assistance for the furtherance of research and study in telecommunications technology and for building up adequately trained manpower for telecom programme, including-
• assistance to institutions, assistance to scientific institutions and to universities for advanced scientific study and research; and grant of scholarships to students in educational institutions and other forms of financial aid to individuals including those going abroad for studies in the field of telecommunications.
• Procurement of stores and equipment required by the Department of Telecommunications.

Telecom department has following key units:

• Digital Communications Commission (DCC) (Erstwhile Telecom Commission): The Government, vide Resolution dated 22nd October,2018, has re-designated the ‘Telecom Commission’ as the ‘Digital Communications Commission’. The Digital Communications Commission is responsible for:
• Formulating the policy of Department of Telecommunications for approval of the Government;
• Preparing the budget for the Department of Telecommunications for each financial year and getting it approved by the Government; &
• Implementation of Government’s policy in all matters concerning telecommunication.

• Telecom Engineering Centre (TEC): a technical body and a nodal agency of the Department of Telecommunications, responsible for drawing up of standards, generic requirements, interface requirements, service requirements and specifications for telecom products, services and networks.
• Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI): a statutory body set up by the Government of India under section 3 of the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India Act, 1997. It is the regulator of the telecommunications sector in India. One of its main objectives is to provide a fair and transparent environment that promotes a level playing field and facilitates fair competition in the market. TRAI regularly issues orders and directions on various subjects such as tariffs, interconnections, quality of service, Direct to Home (DTH) services and mobile number portability.
• Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DOT): to provide solutions for current and future requirements of telecommunication and converged networks including those of national importance especially related to rural applications, strategic sector, and security agencies etc. C-DoT also supports Telcos and service providers in the introduction of new technologies like IoT/M2M, 5G, AI etc. features and services by optimal utilization of installed networks, pilots and studies.
• Center of Excellence in Wireless and Information Technology (CEWiT): CEWiT’s vision is to provide technological leadership to the Indian wireless industry and address the needs of the Indian market through advanced R&D and value creation. The Centre has several experts in the Radio access technologies, specifically focusing on 4G and 4G-Advanced technologies like LTE and WiMAX. CEWiT also provides technical leadership to the Broadband Wireless Consortium of India.
• Telecom Centres of Excellence India (TCOE India): TCoE India, set up in Public Private Partnership (PPP) mode, are an example of the Government, the Academia and the Industry working together for the sustained growth and progress of the country in the Telecom sector. The main objective of TCOE India, is to bring together premier technical and management institutes of the country, Telecom Operators/Industries, Start-ups, Industry Associations, Government organisations and other telecom stakeholders to a common platform for a balanced growth of telecom ecosystem in the country by supporting entrepreneurship, innovation and start-up activities. TCOE India is also created for promoting development of new technologies, to generate IPRs, incubate innovations and promote entrepreneurship to position India as a global leader in telecom innovation and making India a hub of telecom equipment manufacturing.
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