NEW DELHI: Telecom Equipment and Services Export Promotion Council (TEPC) organised two-day ‘Bharat Telecom 2024 - An Exclusive International Business Expo’ in collaboration with the Department of Telecommunications, Ministry of Communications, Government of India at Hotel Taj Palace in New Delhi from January 29-30, 2024.

While addressifng the inaugural session of Bharat Telecom 2024, Dr. Neeraj Mittal, Chairman, Digital Communications Commission and Secretary, Department of Telecommunications, Ministry of Communications, Government of India said: “India has leapfrogged in several technologies including creation of digital public infrastructure. Our 5G rollout led by our domestic companies has been one of the fastest in the world, covering roughly over 100 million consumers in a year and the world is already looking towards India for 6G technology.”

He further mentioned that a recent Ookla report has shown that India has grown by leaps and bounds in mobile broadband speed. This increase in speed will no longer be limited to urban areas and will be extended to all village panchayats in the country through BharatNet Programme, he added.

Dr. Mittal said, “India has already created the Bharat 6G Alliance which is a collaborative effort of industry, academia and the government. We are also funding programmes through Telecom Technology Development Fund on 6G test bed, optical communication, research etc.”

In his address, N. G. Subramaniam, Chairman, TEPC & COO, TCS, said: “India’s telecom story is quite remarkable. We have transformed ourselves as a mobile first nation with the world’s second largest mobile subscriber base. High-speed internet penetration to every nook and corner of India through initiatives such as BharatNet is actually facilitating this and the BharatNet is primarily to ensure the inclusivity of the growth that India is seeing today.”

He further said that the telecom sector continues to do well in the country. A number of startups, MSMEs and OEMs have emerged in the last decade. Our exports from the telecom sector through its products and services have surged by 35% in 2023 and India has attracted about USD 8 billion in FDI in the telecom sector in 2023. 

He further informed that the 20th edition of Bharat Telecom is showcasing leading-edge telecom products that are domestically engineered, trusted, efficient, layered, interoperable and maintainable.

Arnob Roy, Co-Founder, Executive Director & COO, Tejas Networks Ltd., presented the industry perspective on ‘Transformative Telecom Products & Solutions from India’ through a presentation on the occasion.

Sandeep Aggarwal, former Chairman, TEPC & MD, Paramount Communications Ltd., presented the Vote of Thanks on the occasion.

A total of 90 exhibitors including 50 MSMEs and 40 startups are showcasing their products in the Bharat Telecom exhibition. More than 135 delegates from over 35 countries across the globe participated in the event.