From analogue roots to digital dreams

India's telecom odyssey spans from a humble beginning to visionary policies and relentless innovations as India strides toward a trilliondollar digital economy

- DEEPAK MAHESHWARI

Communication is a fundamental human tenet. Historically, it was confined to the close vicinity, with smoke signals and drums being used for relatively longer distances. Remnants of Kos Minars, or mile pillars, can still be seen along medieval highways. Messages were also transmitted through human interlocutors such as spies and friends and through written messages carried by trained birds like pigeons and falcons.

Telecommunications modes and means have evolved in tandem with advancements in transport, tourism, trade, and technology. Electric telegraphy and telephones were introduced in India within a decade of their global inventions in the nineteenth century. Even Internet services began as early as 1986.

As 2024 marks three decades of the National Telecom Policy, the 40th anniversary of the Computer Policy, and the 20th anniversary of the Broadband Policy, it is an opportune time to assess their impact and chart out a policy roadmap for a digitally enabled Viksit Bharat by 2047. Incidentally, this issue of Voice&Data magazine also marks its 30th anniversary as a publication.

TURNING THE CLOCK TO 1994

Barely 30 years ago, in 1994, telecommunication services were beyond the reach of most Indians, catering primarily to the upper socio-economic strata. About 100,000 public call offices (PCOs) expanded access without ownership to a broader populace.

However, the eight million fixed-line connections remained concentrated in urban areas, even though every fourth village had at least one telephone-usually a village public telephone or VPT. Unsurprisingly, with 2.5 million people on the waitlist, obtaining a telephone under the general category typically took a few years.

FAST FORWARD TO 2024