The Minister of Communications and IT Ashwini Vaishnaw said on Monday that the combination of space technology and telecommunications will promote the extension of digital services to remote areas and promote inclusive development, emphasizing the government’s commitment to reforming the industry.

The Minister urged industry leaders to study global best practices in areas such as spectrum management, and make recommendations that would help develop favorable policies and benchmarks that India can adopt. He observed that space and telecommunications are “organically connected” industries, especially in terms of spectrum management.

Vaishnaw pointed out that Indian Railways are also big consumers of space technology in areas such as planning, efficient train operation, crisis management, and communications services in places where fiber optics and telecommunication towers cannot be used. Adoptable applications to make recommendations to improve railway efficiency. At the event commemorating the establishment of the Indian Space Association, the Minister said that the combination of space technology and telecommunications will also make a “significant contribution” to inclusive development.

“Obviously, the combination of space and telecommunications can help us reach traditionally inaccessible areas…such as forest areas, tribal areas in very remote areas…In the northeast of our country, the Himalayas, Desert areas… Many areas where traditional methods cannot provide digital services. I hope that we can reach these areas with the help of space technology,” he said. The minister referred to space and telecommunications as an organically connected sector, especially in terms of managing spectrum.

The minister said that this topic is a complex topic and asked industry leaders to study global best practices on this topic and propose benchmarks that India can adopt. . “We are an open-minded government. We want to reform this industry and provide a level playing field for everyone. We hope that this industry should have healthy competition. So please make suggestions to help us formulate policy directions,” Vaishnaw added .

The establishment of the Indian Aerospace Association will provide new opportunities for industry, research organizations, academia, start-ups, manufacturers, railways and other service organizations. “A lot of things are changing, and a lot of technologies are emerging. This is an institution that we need to be able to really think, sit down, think deeply, and make policy recommendations, which will help the long-term development of the sector,” he said. The newly established Indian Space Association (ISpA) positions itself as an industry body for aerospace and satellite companies.

News Source : Business Standard