Digital connectivity key to exercising the fundamental right of freedom of speech & expression: TEMA

New Delhi, 21 July 2022: The Telecom Equipment Manufacturer’s Association on Wednesday organized a high-level brainstorming round table conference in New Delhi.

About 50 prominent bureaucrats, industrialists, and other stakeholders discussed the strategies and policy interventions required for ensuring reliable digital connectivity for every Indian.

The session also witnessed discussions on provisions by the government for digital connectivity, reforms, and guidelines for tower connectivity as a basic need regardless of city or village, and other problems related to connectivity. The emphasis was on the right to connectivity and the government’s initiatives to ensure connectivity even in non-commercial areas.

Prof. N K Goyal, Chairman Emeritus, Telecom Equipment Manufacturer’s Association talked about ensuring digital connectivity to every citizen. “We must also ensure safe and secure digital connectivity to everyone. Digital connectivity is inevitable when it comes to exercising the fundamental right of freedom of speech and expression,” he added.

One of the panelists talked about how China and India were on par with each other in the past but in current times China is competing with the US and India has the potential to achieve it as well. “We must focus on each and every sector to ensure complete development within the sector and this process should be carried out systematically,” he added.

Shekhar Dutt, Former Governor of Chhattisgarh, “As far as the defense is concerned, there is a good network of people and all the three, line, satellite and wireless are used. But I am concerned about the other sectors such as finance and banking, transportation, and health where good communication can contribute significantly. So, connectivity is a very vital aspect of life.”

Lt Gen PJS Pannu (Retd), former Deputy Chief, Integrated Defence Staff said, “although every person is entitled to connectivity we also need to have the right to disconnect. You cannot become an individual IP address. I can tell you that it is on your phone so you are accountable. I need my own life and own peace of mind. Our country is an exception at the conceptual level, we know what is to be done and at the grassroots level, we have skilled people. Yet we don’t do it. Why? Because we cannot convert it into policy regulations and enable the business to go on to the right track to become good manufacturers.”

The event was graced by the presence of Prof N K Goyal, Chairman Emeritus TEMA, Anupam Srivastava, Former Chairman, BSNL, D K Bhalla, Chief Enabler, Shakti Advance India Research Initiative, Lt Gen PJS Pannu (Retd), former Deputy Chief, Integrated Defence Staff, Shekhar Dutt, Former Governor of Chhattisgarh among others.

Round Table on Reliable Digital Connectivity | Telecom Equipment Manufacturers Association of India