PM Narendra Modi Inaugurates 8th Telecom Meet and India Mobile Congress: Shaping the Future of Global Telecommunications.

The 8th Edition of the International Telecommunication Union – World Telecommunication Standardization Assembly (ITU-WTSA) and the 8th India Mobile Congress (IMC) has been inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi on 15 October 2024. This will be a watershed event wherein over 3,000 leaders of the telecom industry, policy-makers and experts in technology from over 190 countries will converge to mark a watershed event in the future of telecom, digital, and ICT sectors. It is for the first time that India and the Asia-Pacific region will be hosting the ITU-WTSA, which would be a golden opportunity for framing the future global trends in the realm of telecommunications.

A Golden Opportunity for India’s Telecom Industry

The prime minister announced the events on X (formerly Twitter), stating such forums have become important avenues for bringing together leading stakeholders across the telecom sector. The ITU-WTSA and IMC events have been focused to open up opportunities for discussion on developing standards around new emerging technologies, ranging from 6G to AI, Internet of Things, Big Data, and cybersecurity. For the first time in Indian history, it is positioned to lead the global telecom agenda, aligning to new-age technologies.

Hosting these events, PMO believes that Indian startups and research institutions would be able to further bolster their technological landscape as insights will be gained in developing IPRs and SEPs.

The digital ecosystem will be at the focus point of India Mobile Congress.

The India Mobile Congress is today Asia’s largest digital technology forum, and an amphitheater of presentation of innovative solutions and the latest use cases. It has more than 400 exhibitors, 900+ start-ups, and participants from more than 120 countries. A much-awaited event, IMC 2024 under the theme “The Future is Now”. The event will display more than 900 technology use cases with more than 100 sessions and discussions led by over 600 global and Indian speakers.

IMC will highlight quantum technology, Circular Economy, 6G, 5G, cloud and edge computing, IoT, semiconductors, cybersecurity, green tech, satcom, and electronics manufacturing. So, by making all these the core happenings of this event, it will make all stakeholders such as leading industry leaders, government representatives, academics, start-ups, etc., unite and come as a single platform.

ITU-WTSA: Enabling Global Telecom Standards

For the first time in India, the 8th ITU WTSA will be shaping global telecom standards. This will make it possible for the assembly to discuss freely and in a harmonized manner standardization guidelines for New Technologies such as 6G, AI, IoT, Big Data, and cybersecurity, both in their development and their use around the world. It is because of this quick pace of development and evolution that such standards have to be designed for providing interoperability, security, and quality of service in telecommunications.

Hosting the ITU-WTSA will form one of the major milestones in India’s growing influence in global telecom and a firm commitment towards assuming the lead role in standards-setting for international technologies. Also, it will create a forum for showcasing cutting-edge innovations by Indian startups and tech companies and institutes of research and cooperate with the leaders of the international world in telecom.

Role of 6G, AI, and IoT in the Future of Telecommunications

Part of the topics that IMC and ITU-WTSA revolve are about future telecommunications, as the context of emerging 6G, AI, and IoT. The next generation of mobile technology will be developed-and, then, indeed, unfolds-unexpected improvements with regards to network speeds and capacity with connection capability to be envisioned for new use cases such as holographic communication, smart cities, and advanced industrial automation. More importantly, AI in telecommunications will usher in even more significant network management, customer care, and cybersecurity, tailoring not just smoother but also safer digital experiences.

It stretches to billions of well connected devices spread all around the world. The same voluminous amount of data results from this. Standardization of IoT protocols and security will be the significant need for the efficient and safe working of the connected device across industries, including healthcare, manufacturing, transportation, and agriculture.

This is the Leadership from the Front by India in Setting Global Telecom Agenda

Host ITU-WTSA and India Mobile Congress. Find space at the forefront of leaders capable of charting the global telecom agenda. The last decade saw India making enormous success within the sphere of telecommunications: rapid deployment of 4G and 5G, robust infrastructure for digital payment, and initiatives to close the digital divide. Innovations and standardization at the center. The coming age of 6G, perhaps along with enhanced usage of AI and IoT at the very center, will culminate in this regards.

This also aligns with India’s vision of developing a digital economy and harnessed technology for socio-economic development. India shall contribute to the realization of a more inclusive and secure digital future through the establishment of global telecom standards and active promotion of collaboration with international stakeholders.

Promotion of Cybersecurity and Sustainable Technology Development

As the pace of digital transformation is on the move, security aspects will be the reason for holding a prima facie position relating to communication operators, policymakers, and regulators. Cybersecurity-related talks relating to enhancing measures that are aimed to protect users’ networks and data from emerging threats will be presented through the ITU-WTSA and IMC. Cybersecurity in telecommunications on a worldwide basis will offer a sound communication infrastructure and public confidence in its services.

The other key highlight will involve sustainable technological development, especially regarding the Circular Economy. Proper disposal of electronic components through recycling and reusing by the telecom industry will reduce footprints on the environment and pave the way for a sustainable future.

A Platform for Startups and Innovations

Over 900 startups will join the India Mobile Congress, which will further new innovations where one can seek much-needed visibility and attract investments and possible interaction with industry leadership. For the first time, such an event will present further opportunities for startups to showcase solutions in emerging technologies such as 6G, AI, IoT, cloud computing, cybersecurity, and green tech, with increased focus of the event on emerging technologies.

An innovative environment of innovation and knowledge-exchange is hence further designed for the interfaces to connect startups, international telecom companies, government representatives, and academia in IMC. Further, this collaboration based on this will further fuel the development of new technologies and accelerate the speed at which innovative solutions come to market.

The Future is Now

Such an event was represented by the Prime Minister Modi himself, as having inaugurated them, this 8th version of the ITU-WTSA and India Mobile Congress marks an important milestone in India’s journey of leadership in telecommunication and digital technologies. These events will bring world leaders from industry, policymakers, and technology around the globe to set a new stage for the future, truly now in the era of digital transformation.

In telecommunications, India is taking leadership in the global agenda with commitments toward technological innovation, cybersecurity, and sustainable development-paving the way for a more connected, secure, and inclusive digital world.