National Telecom Policy 2011

The Ministry for Communications and IT, released on 10th October, 2011 the draft copy of the National Telecommunication Policy for public consultation and feedback in 4 weeks (Mint). The draft copy has been put up in a public portal designed by the department of telecommunication (Government of India) to generate wider public participation and to enrich the national policy formulation. They have requested our suggestions/comments on National Telecom Policy and help the policy makers in formulating a forward looking policy, which will shape the Telecom landscape of the country for years to come.
The preamble to the draft reads as follows:-

Telecommunication has emerged as a key driver of economic and social development in an increasingly knowledge intensive global scenario, in which India needs to play a leadership role. National Telecom Policy-2011 is designed to ensure that India plays this role effectively and transforms the socio-economic scenario through accelerated equitable and inclusive economic growth by laying special emphasis on providing affordable and quality telecommunication services in rural and remote areas.
Thrust of this policy is to underscore the imperative that sustained adoption of technology would offer viable options in overcoming developmental challenges in education, health, employment generation, financial inclusion and much else. NTP-2011 is an initiative to create a conducive policy framework to address these issues and to touch lives of all citizens and transform India. By formulating a clear policy regime, NTP-2011 endeavours to create an investor friendly environment for attracting additional investments in the sector apart from generating manifold employment opportunities in various segments of the sector. In achieving the goals of National Telecom Policy 2011 revenue generation will play a secondary role.
More post on the analysis of the draft will follow…