Prof N K Goyal, Chairman TEMA on World Telecommunication and Information Society Day ( WTSID)

Prof N K Goyal, Chairman TEMA iis talking about the World Telecommunication Day and and Information Society Day ( WTSID). World Telecommunication Day' is celebrated every year on 17th May to commemorate the founding of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) on 17 May 1865. The UN General Assembly in 2005 passed a resolution to rename it as World Telecommunication and Information Society Day ( WTSID).

Delhi; Prof N K Goyal, Chairman TEMA-Telecom Equipment Manufacturers Association of India is talking about the World Communication Day, May 17.

World Telecommunication Day' is celebrated every year on 17th May to commemorate the founding of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) on 17 May 1865. The main objective of the day is to raise global awareness of social changes brought about by the Internet and new technologies. It also aims to help reduce the Digital Divide. The ITU is a specialized agency of the United Nations that is responsible for issues that concern information and communication technologies. It is the oldest global international organization.

The ITU coordinates the shared global use of the radio spectrum, promotes international cooperation in assigning satellite orbits, works to improve telecommunication infrastructure in the developing world, and assists in the development and coordination of worldwide technical standards. The ITU is also active in the areas of broadband Internet, latest-generation wireless technologies, aeronautical and maritime navigation, radio astronomy, satellite-based meteorology, convergence in fixed-mobile phone, Internet access, data, voice, TV broadcasting, and next-generation networks.

The UN General Assembly in 2005 passed a resolution to rename it as World Telecommunication and Information Society Day ( WTSID).

In this background ITU through World Telecom Cay emphasizes the importance of communications across the globe. It is due to ITU standards that people seating in one part of world can talk anywhere in world. The frequency, spectrum, satellites, standards of phones, mobile, internet etc. all are specified by ITU.

This is due to this day that during COVID-19 epidemic entire world is connected and getting all information on the spot and every human being even in this tough locked down period was having access to all friends, relatives and world on his tips through mobile or internet.

COVID has firmly reiterated the importance of connected world. It is unfortunate that even today about 3.9 Bn. people are not connected. Out of this 58% are female and about 60% are in rural areas. To-date, 53% of the world’s population is still not using the Internet. While on one side there have been technological advancements, in the other side substantial part of world population does not have basic facility of telecom at any technology.

India also started communication service at that time called Telegraph during 1885 and we established a Indian Telegraph Act, 1885.All modern day communications in India are still governed by this Act. The first line of communication was established between London and Kolkata during 1886.

Within India the total number of telephone subscribers reached 1177.02 Million as on 31 January 2020. The number of wireless subscribers are 1156.44 Million and the number of wireline subscribers are 20.58 Million.

In a country of 1300.00 Million, though figure of 1177.02 Million looks great, but there are several people having multiple phones and some phones may be not in use. Hence the actual number of people using now would be about 100 Mns. That means several people yet to be connected.

Within India, there is also division n term of smart phones and basis phones. More than 50% of people still uses the old basic phone, where internet is not available. This results in Digital Divide. Govt. has come with several policies like Digital India, Communications Policy to bridge this gap. At the same time, Digital has changed our life style. Now at a click of button, we get payments made or receive the payments. At a click of button, education, health, railway or air tickets, information about anything in globe, etc.etc is possible.

India is currently the world’s fifth largest economy with a GDP of approximately USD 3 trillion. With economic growth averaging at 6.6 percent since 1990, the country has risen as one of the world’s highest-performing emerging economies over the past three decades. COVID-19 is expected to have big affect on Indian economy ahead and Government has announced several initiatives to boost the economy.

Let us dedicate WTSID 2020 to the Telecom Corona warriors; line man, field technicians, tower maintenance people etc., who has worked shoulder to shoulder with health, police persons, delivery persons etc. to serve our India.