India Telecom Summit 2007
Dcecember 12, 2007, New Delhi

Keynote Address by Thiru A. Raja, Hon'ble Union Minister of Communications and Information and Technology

Dr. Manmohan Singh, Hon'ble Prime Minister of India

Dr. Shakeel Ahmed, Minister of State for Communication and IT

Thiru Habil Khorakiwala, President, FICCI

Thiru D.S. Mathur, Secretary, Department of Telecom

Thiru Amit Mitra, Secretary General, FICCI

Ladies and Gentlemen,

We have come a long way in past three and half years under the inspiring leadership of Hon'ble Prime Minister. When we look back, it is like surveying from the top after scaling a summit. Since May 2004, we have gone from 75 million subscribers to over 260 million subscribers, almost three & half times in three & half years.

Therefore, it is in fitness of things that our Hon'ble Prime Minister is inaugurating the India Telecom 2007, an event which is showcasing the spectacular progress and potential of Indian Telecom sector.

Sir, we are privileged to have you with us for this event.

The last one year has been particularly very satisfying. The subscriber growth is now at a phenomenal 8 million per month, highest in the world. This means addition of more than a quarter million customers every day!

However, growth needs to be with equity & sustainability. This can be only possible by bringing technology to the masses. The decision of providing support from USO Fund for mobile telephony and Broadband services will open up the vast untapped market in rural areas of the country that comprises 70% of population with aspirations to join the mainstream of the country and share the growth story of urban India in ICT sector. Sir, we are concerned about the pollution-free environment and intend to put in special efforts to use alternate sources of energy to power communication network in rural areas.

Sir, under your able guidance and support, the UPA Government, has made remarkable efforts to create an enabling atmosphere to drive the growth agenda. In the three and half years alone, we have commitments of about US $ 20 billion investment in IT & Telecom sector by 2010. In the telecom manufacturing itself there has been commitment of more than US $ 2 billion and we expect fresh commitment of about US $ 2 billion in next one year. These investments will contribute significantly to the employment and GDP growth.

We have also taken steps to create an environment for innovation through establishment of seven Telecom Centers of Excellence in premier institutes of the country in PPP mode with all stake holders on board.

Sir, four MOUs are slated to be signed today for this purpose. We firmly believe in sharing of knowledge. Therefore, we have made intensive arrangements for 6 conference sessions on various themes during India Telecom 2007. The scale of the event this year is larger and duration longer compared to India Telecom 2006. This has been due to a tremendous response last year and availability of ample avenues for business to the participants last year. I hope that expectations of all the participants will be fully realized in the event this year also.

I wish all of you a very productive and rewarding India Telecom 2007.

Thank you.