SEARCHED FOR: Cellular Operators Association of India

As India asserts its global leadership in 5G, Industry stakeholders look forward to a collaborative effort with LTGs to develop high-quality networks and a responsible fair-sharing model, ensuring sustainable growth for the entire digital ecosystem.

According to the Telecom Sector Skill Council, India would roughly need about 22 million workers to skill or upskill themselves to match industry demand by 2025

The Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI) while commending the move has asserted that this will significantly reduce roll-out costs for telecom operators

Cellular Operators Association of India represents India’s big 3 telcos, Bharti Airtel, Reliance Jio and Vodafone Idea (Vi)

At the end of August 2017, India’s private telecom service providers had a total of 948.54 million subscribers and the numbers include those of Reliance Jio Infocomm Ltd, said Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI).

The amendment provides for a one-time compensation of Rs 1,000 per kilometre for laying overhead OFC, resulting in a consistent levy/fee levied by local governments.

The body said that linking 5G technology with coronavirus spike is baseless as 5G networks have not yet been installed in the country and even 5G trials are yet to be started by the telecom operators

The industry body has also requested that free movement be allowed to telecom professionals during the lockdown to maintain networks

The DoT’s recent guidelines are seen as India's first official step to keep both the Chinese companies out of India's telecom expansion, including 5G technology rollouts

Telecom industry continues to be financially stressed and we seek the support of the government to truly play our role as an enabler of horizontal growth and boost the nation’s economy.