A top official from the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) stated that the government is keen on seeing India's telecom sector, startup ecosystem, and micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) excel and compete on a global scale. DoT Secretary Neeraj Mittal mentioned that India aims for its industry, startups, and MSMEs to thrive and compete in the challenging telecom industry. He spoke during the theme launch of the India Mobile Congress - 2024.

The official noted that historically, startups and MSMEs faced numerous barriers related to certifications and patents. The government, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, is supporting these sectors through various schemes, as part of the Atmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India) initiative to reduce dependency on global supply chains.

Mittal highlighted that India?s telecom potential has evolved significantly over the past decade, with the success of the 5G revolution being a notable achievement. He recalled that in October 2022, telecom operators Jio and Airtel began commercial 5G network deployments, establishing India as the fastest 5G rollout country in the world.

Mittal also emphasized that capacity building and scaling are crucial for the country's expanding telecom sector. SP Kochhar, Director General of the Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI), added that recent progressive reforms and government initiatives are positioning India as a hub for technological innovation, with major players setting up multiple manufacturing facilities in the country.

This year, the DoT, in collaboration with the private industry, is organizing the 8th edition of the India Mobile Congress from October 15-18, 2024, which will highlight technological innovations by bringing together industry leaders from various countries.