Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlighted the need for a human-centric approach in the ongoing technological revolution, stressing that global telecommunication standards should prioritize security, dignity, and equity. Speaking at the inauguration of the International Telecommunication Union’s 'World Telecommunication Standardization Assembly (WTSA) 2024' in New Delhi, PM Modi emphasized that the standards set at the event would shape the future of digital technology.
“Our goal should be that no country, no region, and no community is left behind in this digital transformation,” said PM Modi, underlining the need for innovation alongside inclusion. He further called for the creation of a global framework for digital technology to ensure a future that is both technically advanced and ethically sound.
PM Modi also inaugurated the 8th edition of the 'India Mobile Congress 2024,' explaining that while WTSA focuses on global standards, the India Mobile Congress addresses services. Both events, he said, unite global standards and services on one platform.
Discussing reforms in the telecom sector, the Prime Minister pointed to India's success in reducing data costs, stating that internet data in the country costs as little as 12 cents per GB, while in other nations, the price can be 10 to 20 times higher.
“Today, every Indian consumes about 30 GB of data on an average every month,” PM Modi said, adding that India now has 1.2 billion mobile phone users, 950 million internet users, and accounts for more than 40% of global real-time digital transactions.
He also noted how India has demonstrated the power of digital connectivity for last-mile service delivery, making the country’s mobile and telecom progress a subject of global interest. “Telecom is not just a medium of connectivity but a medium of equity and opportunity in India,” he said.
PM Modi highlighted the four pillars of Digital India: affordable devices, extensive digital connectivity, accessible data, and the goal of a ‘Digital First’ approach. These efforts, he said, are delivering robust results. He also discussed the rapid expansion of public Wi-Fi facilities and the undersea cable connections of remote islands like Andaman-Nicobar and Lakshadweep.
“In just 10 years, India has laid optical fibre eight times the distance between Earth and the Moon,” he remarked, adding that the country is already moving towards 6G technology to ensure future-ready infrastructure.
PM Modi spoke about India's digital transformation, including the impact of the JAM Trinity—Jan Dhan, Aadhaar, and Mobile—which has sparked millions of innovations. He also praised the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) for creating new business opportunities and the Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) for transforming digital commerce.
“In an interconnected world, security cannot be an afterthought,” said the Prime Minister, pointing to India's Data Protection Act and National Cyber Security Strategy as reflections of the nation’s commitment to building a secure digital environment.
This marks the first time the ITU-WTSA is being hosted in India and the Asia-Pacific region, bringing together over 3,000 industry leaders, policymakers, and technology experts from more than 190 countries.
