Modi emphasised India’s role in shaping global digital standards, pointing to the country’s efforts to create a safe digital environment through initiatives like the Data Protection Act
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has called for the creation of a global framework to ensure that artificial intelligence (AI) is ethical, secure, and inclusive. Speaking at the 8th edition of the India Mobile Congress, Modi also stressed the importance of cybersecurity, highlighting that no nation is immune from its impact.
Modi’s address came as telecom industry leaders pushed for policy reforms on data localization, satellite services, and combating digital fraud. The annual conclave was held alongside the International Telecommunication Union’s (ITU) World Telecommunication Standardisation Assembly (WTSA) 2024.
“I would ask WTSA to deliberate on how to make telecommunications safe for everyone. In an interconnected world, security cannot be an afterthought,” Modi said. He underscored the need for global standards, similar to the aviation sector, where clear technical, legal, and operational guidelines ensure safety.
“For this, we have to work together. Global institutions have to take responsibility. We have to ensure that our future is not just technically strong but also ethically sound. The future should have innovations as well as inclusion,” he added.
India’s Commitment To Safe Digital Future
Modi emphasised India’s role in shaping global digital standards, pointing to the country’s efforts to create a safe digital environment through initiatives like the Data Protection Act and the National Cyber Security Strategy. He urged WTSA members to work on developing standards that are secure, inclusive, and adaptable to future challenges, including ethical AI and data privacy.
“India’s Data Protection Act and National Cyber Security Strategy reflect our commitment to building a safe digital environment. WTSA members should create standards that are inclusive, secure, and adaptable to future challenges, including ethical AI and data privacy standards that respect the diversity of nations,” he said.
Telecom Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia also highlighted India’s growing role in global telecommunications standards, stating that the ITU is working on setting standards for 6G networks by 2030, with India actively participating in the process for the first time.
“The telecom ministry is also working on a separate programme to localize and produce chips specifically for the telecom sector’s usage,” Scindia said.
Telecom Industry’s Push For Reforms
As India’s digital infrastructure continues to expand, telecom leaders called for policy reforms to ensure data localization and support for AI and satellite services across the country.
Akash Ambani, chairman of Reliance Jio Infocomm Ltd, urged the government to fast-track updates to India’s data centre policy, emphasizing the need to keep critical data within the country.
“We request the government to expedite the updating of the 2020 draft of the data centre policy to ensure that Indian data remains in India’s data centres. Indian companies setting up AI and machine learning data centres should receive all necessary incentives, including incentives for power consumption,” Ambani said.
Reliance Jio, India’s largest telecom services provider, has been at the forefront of rolling out AI models and services at affordable prices for Indian consumers.
Bharti Airtel chairman Sunil Mittal highlighted the need for equal regulation between telecom and satellite service providers, particularly for companies looking to offer services to urban customers. He urged that satellite companies should operate under the same regulatory framework as telecom operators.
“Those satellite companies which have ambitions to come into urban areas serving elite retail customers need to take telecom licenses like everybody else… They need to buy spectrum as telecom companies do, they need to pay the license fee as telecom companies do, and also secure the networks like telecom companies do,” Mittal said.
Mittal-backed OneWeb Eutelsat is gearing up to launch satellite services in India but is awaiting spectrum allocation. The new Indian telecom law allows for direct spectrum allocation for satellite broadband services.
Mittal also pointed out that 5G network rollouts are progressing rapidly, with full nationwide coverage expected within 12-18 months. He noted that India’s push to become a global semiconductor hub has led to government-backed initiatives aimed at starting local manufacturing.
Combating Digital Fraud & Spam
Vodafone Idea chairman Kumar Mangalam Birla, whose company recently raised ₹18,000 crore, emphasized the importance of tackling rising concerns like spam, fraud, and phishing scams as India’s mobile networks continue to grow.
Birla said the company’s recent fundraising has enabled it to launch a new capital expenditure cycle, including deals worth dollar 3.6 billion with Nokia, Ericsson, and Samsung for network equipment over the next three years.
As the telecom industry pushes for reforms, the government and industry leaders are working together to ensure that India’s digital infrastructure remains secure, inclusive, and future-ready.