SATRC 25th Edition Begins, Inaugurated by Minister Scindia

India’s Minister for Communications, Jyotiraditya M. Scindia, inaugurated the 25th Meeting of the South Asian Telecommunication Regulators’ Council (SATRC-25) in New Delhi. In his keynote address, Scindia highlighted India’s role as the “Voice of the Global South” and emphasized that SATRC-25 would be a vital platform for knowledge-sharing and innovative discussions on new policy and regulatory challenges.

Inauguration and Keynote

• Inaugurated by India’s Minister for Communications, Jyotiraditya M. Scindia, in New Delhi.
• Scindia emphasized India’s emerging role as the “Voice of the Global South” and highlighted SATRC-25 as a platform for sharing knowledge and perspectives on regulatory challenges.
• Urged regulatory bodies to create policies focused on a “secure, safe and standards-driven future.”

Participants and Dignitaries

Attendees included Heads of Regulators and affiliate members from SATRC member countries,

• Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Iran, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka.

Other dignitaries

• Dr. Chandra Sekhar Pemmasani, Minister of State for Communications and Rural Development.
• Masanori Kondo, Secretary General of the Asia-Pacific Telecommunity (APT).
• Major General (Retd.) Mohammad Emdad Ul Bari, Chairman of the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission.
• Anil Kumar Lahoti, Chairman of TRAI.
• Atul Kumar Choudhary, Secretary of TRAI.

India’s Digital Transformation

• Scindia underscored India’s growth in digital infrastructure with 1.2 billion telephones and 970 million internet users.
• India’s digital economy has expanded from 3.5% to 10% of the national economy in the last decade and is expected to reach 20% by 2026-27.
• Called for collaboration among SATRC nations on issues like digital inclusivity, sustainable network infrastructure, and consumer protection.

South Asia’s Role in Global ICT

• Emphasized the region’s importance in global ICT development and the need for regulations that foster innovation and inclusivity.
• Highlighted the transformative potential of Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTNs) in extending telecom coverage to remote areas.

Event Focus and Objectives

• Organized by the Asia-Pacific Telecommunity (APT) and hosted by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI).
• A three-day event (11-13 November 2024) bringing together regional experts, international delegates, and industry representatives.
• Key agenda items include radio frequency coordination, telecommunication strategies, regulatory trends, and international telecom affairs.