The 8th edition of the International Telecommunication Union – World Telecommunication Standardization Assembly (ITU-WTSA) was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi on October 15. The event, held at Bharat Mandapam, marks the first time the assembly has been hosted in India and the Asia-Pacific region.
The ITU-WTSA is a global forum that brings together over 3,000 industry leaders, policymakers, and technology experts from more than 190 countries. The assembly, which takes place every four years, sets international standards for emerging technologies, including 6G, artificial intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT), Big Data, and cybersecurity. Union Minister of Communications, Jyotiraditya Scindia, noted the significance of the event, stating that it gives India the opportunity to play a major role in shaping global telecom standards. The assembly will also provide Indian startups and research institutions with critical insights into developing Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) and Standard Essential Patents.
In conjunction with the ITU-WTSA, Modi also inaugurated the 8th edition of the India Mobile Congress (IMC) 2024. The event, themed “The Future is Now,” is Asia’s largest digital technology forum. It showcases advancements in telecommunications and digital technology, with a focus on 5G, 6G, quantum technology, cloud computing, and green tech. More than 400 exhibitors and 900 startups from over 120 countries will participate, highlighting innovations and solutions in telecom and related sectors.
During the event, Scindia highlighted India’s rapid adoption of 5G technology, which has been deployed across 36 states and union territories, covering 98% of districts in just 22 months. He also emphasized the impact of India’s digital infrastructure, including platforms like the Unified Payment Interface (UPI), Aadhaar, and DigiLocker, which collectively serve millions of users.
Scindia further noted that the roll-out of 5G is expected to contribute $450 billion to India’s economy by 2040. The IMC will feature over 100 sessions with more than 600 global and Indian speakers, discussing innovations and use-case scenarios that are expected to drive future developments in the telecom ecosystem.