Here’s what COAI said as India completed 25 years of mobile telephony

India today achieved a major milestone by completing 25 years of mobile telephony. On the occasion, the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) and the Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI), organised a special online event called ‘Desh Ki Digital Udaan’ to commemorate the milestones made by the Indian telecom industry since its inception.

Speaking at the occasion, COAI Director General Lt Gen Dr SP Kochhar said that the Indian telecom industry was dedicated to creating a world-class digital ecosystem with the help of all the stakeholders.

“During the last 25 years, technological progress, innovation and market dynamics have had a profound impact on the industry and contributed to the accelerated liberalization of the sector. There are many sectors doing good work in their fields but without telecom linkages they would be isolated specks. Telecom interconnects and helps societies to be connected. It is like the nervous system of the human body,” Kochhar said.

“Taking an inspiration from this memorable journey, the industry is committed to working towards creating a truly world-class digital ecosystem of the future with the help of our all stakeholders, especially the government,” he added.

Apart from the COAI Director General, the event saw other dignitaries and industry experts including Minister for Communications, Electronics and Information Technology Ravi Shankar Prasad, TRAI Chairman RS Sharma, DCC Chairman Anshu Prakash, Bharti Airtel Chairman Sunil Bharti Mittal, Reliance Industries Chairman Mukesh Ambani, Spice Group Chairman BK Modi, MediaTek MD Anku Jain, Nokia India head and SVP Sanjay Malik sharing their thoughts on the silver jubilee celebrations.

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“Telecommunication has emerged as the ‘Frontline Corona Warrior’ in these difficult time of pandemic. Telecom has played one of the key frontal roles in our society in keeping everybody connected, in keeping peace and calm as well as ensuring that the economic engine continues to move forward,” Bharti Airtel Chairman said at the webinar.

“This is also an occasion for us to look at the obstacles that have prevented Indian consumers and Indian society from fully benefiting from the digital revolution. Here I specifically referred to the fact that India still has 300 million mobile subscribers trapped in the 2G era...I think necessary policy steps should be taken with utmost urgency to make 2G a part of history,” RIL Chairman added.