“We have done a terrible job in Broadband Penetration” – Rahul Khullar, TRAI

Delivering his keynote address at the India Digital Summit of the Internet And Mobile Association of India (IAMAI), Rahul Khullar, Chairman – Telecom Regulatory Authority (TRAI), was candid in his admission of a not-so successful rollout of National Optic Fibre Network (NOFN). He said, “We have done a terrible job in broadband. We are nowhere near to meeting target of NOFN and unless it is done, internet penetration cannot happen at the desired pace.” Referring to the fact that 80% of new internet users are coming through 2G network, Mr. Khullar said, “Access and speed will determine penetration of smart-phones and internet. Unless there is reasonable pricing of spectrum and making spectrum available, we will not succeed.” He opined that the next government has to take immediate action on spectrum availability to have successful internet penetration in India.
Delivering the inaugural address, Rajan Anandan, Chairman – IAMAI & Managing Director – Google India said, “India is adding 4 million active internet users every month. At this rate we will overtake the United States by end of this year to become the second largest internet market.” Mr. Anandan added, “In next decade, India’s e-Commerce industry will be around US $100 billion. But to reach that stage, investments of upward of USD $3 billion is required. And that can only happen, if FDI in e-Commerce is allowed.” Taking a leaf out of Mr. Anandan’s speech, Mr. Khullar mentioned, “Given the dire strait of our finances, e-Commerce industry should embrace itself for taxation.”
While policy matters comprised the first half of discussion, Baijayant Panda, Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha, was vocal on Freedom of Speech on the Internet. He said, “Section 66A of the IT Act is draconian and is not in sync with Indian Penal Code. There is a clear distinction on thinking and acting. Neither Section 66A of the IT Act nor the antiquated Section 124 A of IPC recognises that. We need to have firm yet transparent laws governing the internet.” Earlier during the day, Rahul Khullar had raised the issue of Data Protection, Privacy and Internet Governance and said that Industry members should come forward along-with civil society in creation of internet governance laws. “India has no clear position on Internet Governance”, he said and pointing out stakeholders should take the initiative before arbit laws are thrust upon them.

About IAMAI

The Internet and Mobile Association of India [IAMAI] is a young and vibrant association with ambitions of representing the entire gamut of digital businesses in India. It was established in 2004 by the leading online publishers, but in the last nine years has come to effectively address the challenges facing the digital and online industry including mobile content and services, online publishing, mobile advertising, online advertising, ecommerce and mobile & digital payments among others.

Nine years after its establishment, the association is still the only professional industry body representing the online and mobile VAS industry in India. The association is registered under the Societies Act and is a recognized charity in Maharashtra. With a membership of 130 plus Indian and MNC companies, offices in Delhi, Mumbai and Bengaluru, the association is well placed to work towards charting a growth path for the digital industry in India.