Vice President C P Radhakrishnan on Friday said that technology should serve humanity and ensure that no citizen is excluded from digital progress. He was addressing the Diamond Jubilee celebration of the Indian Telecommunications Service (ITS) in New Delhi.
The Vice President said that the evolution of the telecommunications sector in India has been shaped significantly by ITS officers, who have supported the technical and managerial functions of the government since the service was created in 1965.
Participating in the event at Vigyan Bhawan, he said the role of ITS has shifted over the decades from managing telegraph and landline networks to contributing to India’s current digital communications infrastructure.
Radhakrishnan said connectivity has become central to economic participation, access to services and social inclusion and emphasised that the next phase of India’s digital growth must continue to prioritise citizens.
He recalled that there was a time when securing a telephone connection took several years and that today India has become one of the world’s largest mobile and data markets, indicating the scale of change the sector has undergone.
ITS and India’s telecom transformation
The Vice President said that India’s telecommunications sector has expanded rapidly in recent years, supported by large investments in digital infrastructure, increased broadband penetration and growth in mobile networks.
He added that the transition from a state-dominated phone service to a competitive private-led marketplace has been accompanied by reforms aimed at improving efficiency and expanding coverage to remote locations.
Radhakrishnan noted that newer areas such as 5G, 6G research, satellite-based communications and rural broadband demand strong technical capacity within government and said ITS will need to continue adapting to support emerging technologies.
He said that the priority for the future is to ensure that technology improves public welfare and does not widen digital gaps, particularly for low-income users, senior citizens and people living in remote areas.
The Vice President also said that India must position itself not only as a consumer of telecom technology but as a global contributor to standards, design, and innovation.
Focus on public-centric delivery
During the event, Radhakrishnan applauded the contributions of ITS officers in the expansion of mobile networks, optical fibre, digital payment infrastructure and online citizen services.
He said that as telecom networks become deeply integrated with critical sectors such as healthcare, banking, transport, education and disaster response, ensuring reliability and continuity becomes more important for public safety.
The Vice President said the government views connectivity as an essential service and expects ITS to work with regulators, telecom operators and technology companies to strengthen cybersecurity and digital resilience.
Stating that India’s digital progress over the next decade will depend on partnerships between government agencies, academia, and industry, the Vice President said that the ITS will have to continue to serve as a bridge between technological change and public needs.
