India's untapped potential: Are a billion people losing out because of spectrum?

As one of the world’s fastest growing economies and with over 65% of its billion-plus population under 35, India has huge potential. But according to Shyam Ponappa of the Centre for Internet & Society, its spectrum management – the electromagnetic waves that are used from home appliances like microwaves and remote controls, to radios, cell phones, and of course, the internet – could be a huge barrier to the country’s economic and social development.

Telecom

The growth in telecommunications in India has been impressive. While the potential for growth and returns exist, a range of issues need to be addressed for this potential to be realized. One aspect is more extensive rural coverage and the second aspect is a countrywide access to broadband which is low at about eight million subscriptions. Both require effective and efficient use of networks and resources, including spectrum. In this connection, Shyam Ponappa continues to write his monthly column for the Business Standard.

Key Research

Reports

India's untapped potential: Are a billion people losing out because of spectrum?, Shyam Ponappa, Association for Progressive Communications, January 2011.
India Study Tour - Report: The South African Telecommunications Sector: Poised for Change, Sagie Chetty, 24 November 2009.

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Events: Open Spectrum for Development in the Context of the Digital Migration
Sep 29, 2011 07:00 PM to Sep 29, 2011 08:30 PM, at Nairobi; Opening India's Spectrum
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Oct 19, 2009 05:30 PM to Oct 29, 2009 06:30 PM, at IIT-M, IIT-B, IIIT-B, IGNOU, NISTADS, CCMG - Jamia Millia Islamia

CIS in collaboration with the LINK Centre, Graduate School of Public and Development Management, University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa and in association with different institutions across India is organizing a Lecture Tour by Sagie Chetty from 19th Oct to 30th Oct.; More…