Telecom sector needs Rs 3,000 billion investment to meet broadband target

Mumbai: India's telecom sector requires investments worth Rs 3,000 billion to meet the targets set for offering broadband and 150 million new telephone lines over the next three years, union minister of state for telecommunications and IT Dr Shakeel Ahmed told the 13^th Convergence India 2005 international exhibition and conference held in the city. He also said that the government was committed to continued liberalisation in the sector, to promote the communications revolution in the country.

Telecommunications majors showcased emerging convergent technologies for new generation networks at the three-day mega event organised by Exhibitions India, facilitating business worth $100 million. Over 300 companies from 25 countries participated in the event, co-sponsored by the ministry of communications and information technology, government of India.

The exhibition and conference facilitated interaction among industry leaders, investors and government officials, and also provided a forum to discuss converging technologies, new ideas and cost effective solutions. Union minister for information and broadcasting Jaipal Reddy was the chief guest for the 'Broadcast technologies and digital entertainment' session. He said that an expansion of private FM radio stations as well as DTH television in both the private and public sector was in the pipeline.

Managing director of Exhibitions India Prem Behl said that the industry looks forward to Convergence India on an annual basis as a platform for discussion, trade and investment. He pointed out that growth in the sector is estimated to lead to an expenditure of over $50 billion over the next six years.

Eminent panelists from leading telecommunications companies expressed their views during various sessions. These included BSNL CMD Anil Kumar Sinha, VSAT Services Association of India president Rajiv K Sharma, Cellular Operators Association of India chairman Anil Nayar, Association of Unified Telecom Service Providers president Prakash Bajpai, Manufacturers Association of Information and Technology president Rajendra Kumar, Internet Service Providers Association of India president Amitabh Singhal, Institution of Electronics and Telecommunications Engineers president, Lt Gen (retd) D P Sehgal, Israeli ambassador David Danieli and Chinese ambassador Sun Yuxi.

The exhibition's sponsors included 3Com, ALCATEL, APC, BSNL, CBOSS, Cisco Systems, Continuous Computing, Corning, Digital Rapids, France Telecom, GTL, Harmonic, Huawei, Infineon, Juniper, Kodak Versamark, Loral Skynet, Lucent Technologies, Metalink, Micro Village, NetApp, Pronto Networks, Shaf, Sterlite Optical Technologies, SUN Microsystems, Tekelec, UTStarcom and Veraz networks.

Exhibitions India is an ISO 9001: 2000 certified company and a leading organiser of focused international trade shows and events in India. It organises a complete range of knowledge-based international exhibitions and seminars and provides associated services to help create joint ventures, technology transfers and foreign direct investment.