ITU presence in region to help introduce advanced technologies, says Sec-Gen Martin
The Prime Minister Narendra Modi has unveiled the Bharat 6G Vision Document and launched the 6G R&D Test Bed during the inauguration of new International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Area office & Innovation Centre in India on 22 Mar 2023.
The Prime Minister said that India will also work closely with ITU for the standardization of future technologies, underlining that the new Indian ITU Area office will also help in creating the right environment for 6G.
He has also launched the ‘Call before u Dig’ App. ITU is the United Nations’ specialized agency for information and communication technologies (ICTs).
India signed a Host Country Agreement in March 2022 with ITU for the establishment of Area Office. It will serve India, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Maldives, Afghanistan and Iran, enhancing coordination among nations and fostering mutually beneficial economic cooperation in the region.
Elaborating, Modi pointed out that the 6G Test Bed and the vision document will not only usher new energy in digital India but also provide solutions and innovations for the Global South.
The Prime Minister underlined that it will create new opportunities for India’s innovators, industries and startups while strengthen cooperation and collaboration in the IT sector of South Asian countries.
“ITU Area Office and Innovation Centre is a huge step in this direction and will also give momentum to India’s efforts to provide universal connectivity in the Global South,” he said.
“Telecom technology for India is not a mode of power, but a mission to empower, Modi added, noting that digital technology is universal in India and accessible to everyone.
She expressed confidence that ITU’s presence in the region will help the introduction of advanced technologies, improve capacity development, and foster entrepreneurship and partnerships while also responding to leads on the ground from digital services, skills, cyber security and digital inclusion.
“India is a role model for countries looking for digital transformation to grow their economies, rethink their government services, attract investments, remake commerce and empower their people,” she said.
She noted that India is home to one of the biggest startup ecosystems, digital payments market and tech workforces in the world and the country is leading on the digital forefront of tech innovations and adoptions with game-changing initiatives like Aadhar, UPI among others that have turned India into a knowledge-based economy. fiinews.com
