Telecom Person of the Year (2023)

A bureaucrat par excellence, K Rajaraman's visionary leadership has been instrumental in driving domestic telecom equipment manufacturing and streamlining decision-making processes within the DoT.

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K RAJARAMAN

Chairman, International Financial Services Centres Authority (Former Secretary - Department of Telecommunications)

He also played a crucial role in formulating the Indian Telegraph (Infrastructure Safety) Rules 2022, addressing significant safety concerns surrounding existing telecom infrastructure.

His astute stewardship in newer technologies positioned India as a frontrunner in shaping 6G standards, laying the groundwork for a comprehensive 6G roadmap. His proactive efforts resulted in the setting up a single-window clearance platform for all satellite related networks, opening new avenues for connectivity and fostering technological innovation.

His strategic foresight and unwavering dedication have not only propelled India's telecommunications sector to new heights but have also established him as a paragon of excellence and innovation in the industry."

"India has made progress in various components of the 5G ecosystem"

The Voice&Data Telecom Person of the Year 2023 and the Chairman of the International Financial Services Centres Authority (IFSCA) K Rajaraman, shared his views on how the telecom sector has evolved during the last couple of years, including achievements in 5G, initiatives in 6G, Satcom, and local telecom equipment manufacturing, and the role of IFSCA in funding innovation. He also touched upon challenges encountered during his tenure at the DoT and some of the toughest decisions he had to make during his tenure as the Telecom Secretary. Excerpts from his interaction with Shubhendu Parth:

The telecom sector has become a cornerstone of the modern economy. How would you characterise this transformation, and do you have concerns about the over-reliance on digital technology?