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Tag: DoT

  • Vodafone Idea Gets Relief as Supreme Court Allows Centre to Reassess Additional AGR Dues

    Following the Supreme Court’s decision to permit the Central government to re-examine the matter of reevaluating the telecom operator’s adjusted gross revenue (AGR) obligations, Vodafone Idea’s stock price surged by more than 9% on Monday. Following the SC’s decision, Vodafone Idea’s stock increased 9.45% to INR 10.53 per share on the BSE. The Supreme Court noted that the question is within the Union government’s policy purview and that it does not perceive any obstacle to the Centre re-examining the issue and reaching a suitable conclusion.

    What SC said in Vodafone’s Case?

    The Supreme Court said that there was no reason to stop the Centre from re-examining the matter, which was a huge relief to the financially troubled telecom operator. The court on 27 October gave the government permission to reevaluate the demand for AGR dues and to resolve the telecom operator’s complaints without involving the courts.

    Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, speaking on behalf of the Union government, requested more time, and the hearing was postponed. B.R. Gavai, the Chief Justice of India, rescheduled the hearing for the fourth time and instructed Mehta to take a firm stance on the issue. Chief Justice B.R. Gavai and Justice K. Vinod Chandran made the observation that the government’s policy discretion would control any decision pertaining to relief for the telecom operator.

    What is AGR and Why Vodafone Challenged DoT’s Demand?

    The Supreme Court postponed hearing Vodafone Idea’s petition in the AGR dues matter until October 27 on October 13. The indebted telecom company has contested the Department of Telecommunications’ (DoT) demand, aiming to settle further AGR claims totalling INR 5,606 crore for the years up to FY2016–17.

    The revenue amount known as AGR is used to determine the spectrum charges and licensing fees that telecom businesses are required to pay to the government. At the request of the telecom company and Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, who was representing the Centre, the top court had previously postponed the hearing on the plea multiple times. The federal government had previously stated that it was working with the corporation to find a solution. According to Mehta, the government had a direct stake in Vodafone Idea’s existence because it owned over 50% of the company.

    Vodafone Idea has requested that the DoT, in accordance with the “Deduction Verification Guidelines” of February 3, 2020, thoroughly reevaluate and reconcile all AGR dues for the period up to FY 2016–17. The supreme court denied telecom companies’ requests to correct alleged flaws in the computation of AGR dues owed by them earlier this year, refusing to reconsider its 2021 judgement.

    The Supreme Court ordered telecom service providers to pay INR 93,520 crore in AGR-related debts within ten years in September 2020. 10% of the total dues, as determined by the DoT, must be paid by March 31, 2021, according to the directive. The rest amount must be paid in yearly instalments between April 1, 2021, and March 31, 2031.

    Quick Shots

    •The Supreme Court allowed the Centre to reassess Vodafone
    Idea’s additional AGR dues.

    •Vodafone Idea’s shares jumped 9.45% to ₹10.53 on the BSE
    following the verdict.

    •The Centre has sought more time to decide on the issue; hearing
    adjourned after Solicitor General Tushar Mehta’s request.

    •The Centre owns over 50% of Vodafone Idea, giving it a direct
    interest in the company’s financial survival.

  • Centre Plans to Launch Satellite Communication (Satcom) Services in India by January 2026

    According to reports, the government is eager to introduce satellite communication (satcom) services by January 2026. The Digital Communication Commission (DCC, formerly known as the telecom commission), the highest decision-making body of the telecom department (DoT), is scheduled to meet shortly to discuss the country’s satcom rollout, according to sources cited by The Hindu Businessline.

    According to a senior government official, the administration hopes to roll out services (satcom) in December or January since that is when the final spectrum pricing decision will be made. According to reports, the DCC, which is chaired by the telecom secretary, was supposed to make a decision by July of this year regarding the pricing and distribution of satcom spectrum.

     The conference was postponed, though, and a new date is currently being decided. In addition to establishing rules and licences for satellite earth station gateways, which link satellite networks with terrestrial ones, the DCC will lay out the pertinent policies for satcom services.

    Commenting on the move, Amit Mahajan, Director, Paras Defence & Space Technologies stated, “The Government’s plan to launch Satellite Communication (Satcom) services in India by January 2026 marks a defining moment in our digital and industrial future. Reliable, secure, and high-capacity Satcom will not only transform connectivity in remote and underserved regions but also reshape how enterprises operate across sectors such as logistics, energy, financial services, and manufacturing. For industries advancing towards automation, Industry 4.0, and real-time data exchange, communication infrastructure forms the backbone. Satcom has the potential to bridge gaps where terrestrial networks cannot reach—enabling resilient supply chains, smarter mobility, and more efficient governance systems.”

    New Satcom Rules Yet to be Finalised

    The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) suggested in May that satcom operators be given administrative spectrum assignments for a duration of five years, with the possibility of an additional two-year extension, even though satcom regulations have not yet been approved.

    With a minimum yearly spectrum fee of INR 3,500 per MHz, TRAI also recommended pricing the spectrum at 4% of the operators’ adjusted gross revenue (AGR). Government dues from telecom providers are calculated using a certain revenue computation called AGR. Additionally, the regulator proposed charging NGSO-based operators an extra INR 500 annually for each urban user. However, rural areas will not be subject to this fee.

    TRAI further demanded that all permitted organisations sharing spectrum coordinate in good faith. It recommended that the Centre look into user terminal subsidies in underserved areas and establish a 30-day window for spectrum assignment following an operator’s in-principle clearance.

    DoT Wants Satcom Tenure to be Less Than 5 Years

    According to reports, the DoT wants the satcom spectrum tenure to be kept under five years in case a new technology emerges. Such controversial topics are anticipated to be discussed at the next DCC meeting. Some of the largest corporations, both local and foreign, are rushing to obtain satcom licences in the nation in the meanwhile.

    Elon Musk’s Starlink, Jio-SES, and Eutelstat OneWeb, supported by Bharti Enterprises, have been given preliminary permissions to operate in the nation, while Amazon’s Project Kuiper and Apple partner Globalstar have applied for licences.

    Quick
    Shots

    •The Digital Communication Commission
    (DCC), chaired by the telecom secretary, to finalize spectrum pricing &
    policy.

    •Rollout expected in Dec 2025–Jan
    2026, pending spectrum pricing decisions.

    •DCC to decide on rules, licences, and
    earth station gateway regulations for satcom connectivity.

    •Administrative spectrum assignments
    for 5 years (+2-year extension).

  • RBI Mandates Banks to Use DoT Tool in Fight Against Cyber Frauds

    The RBI has instructed banks and payment institutions to incorporate the telecom department’s (DoT) financial fraud risk indicator (FRI) into their systems in light of the increasing number of cybercrimes.

    The RBI guideline, released on June 30, seeks to use cutting-edge technologies to combat cybercrime. The DoT hailed the action as a turning point. In a statement, the DoT claimed that the RBI’s directives mark a turning point in the battle against financial crimes made possible by cyberspace and demonstrate the effectiveness of interagency cooperation in protecting individuals in India’s expanding digital economy.

    FRI is a risk-based statistic that was introduced in May and links a cellphone number to the level of financial fraud. Data from DoT’s Chakshu platform, the government’s cybercrime reporting portal, and information provided by banks and financial organisations are used to highlight the numbers.

    This makes it possible for the appropriate parties to take further consumer protection steps to stop financial frauds committed using high-risk mobile numbers.

    Real-time FRI allows banks and other financial institutions to take preventative steps like rejecting suspicious transactions, warning or alerting clients, and postponing high-risk transactions.

    FRI Already Deployed on Fintech Platforms

    Real-time response and ongoing feedback to improve the fraud risk models are made possible by an API-based platform that automates data interchange between banks and DoT’s digital intelligence platform, which has created FRI.

     According to the DoT, the platform has already been implemented in banks like HDFC Bank and ICICI Bank as well as fintech companies like PhonePe and Paytm.

    The DoT went on to say that as UPI is the most widely used payment mechanism in India, this action may prevent millions of people from being victims of cybercrime. The FRI makes it possible to take prompt, focused, and cooperative action against suspected frauds in the banking and telecommunications meantime, it has sectors.

    In the been claimed that the National Quantum Mission (NQM) is creating a task force to help banks implement the new technology for data analysis, financial modelling, and cybersecurity. The task force will assist banks in creating rules for the shift to quantum technologies, according to a media source.

    A draft of these standards is expected to be made public in the coming months following government approval. One of NQM’s initial milestones, a long-distance quantum key distribution (QKD) network, is anticipated to be completed by the end of July or the beginning of August, the article also stated.

    Cybercrime on the Rise in India

    Indians lost INR 1,935.51 Cr to digital arrest frauds in 2024, Bandi Sanjay Kumar, the minister of state (MoS) for home affairs, said in the Parliament earlier this year. He added that in the first nine months of FY25, cyber frauds cost INR 107.21 Cr.

    According to reports, the Centre has shut thousands of WhatsApp accounts used to spread online fraud, along with lakhs of SIM cards and IMEIs (International Mobile Equipment Identity).

  • Starlink & Amazon Strike First Satellite Broadband Deals in India Ahead of Spectrum Showdown

    According to a media report, US satellite companies Starlink and Amazon Kuiper have inked their first commercial agreements with VSAT providers in India.

    This step marks a significant step towards the establishment of government and business satellite broadband services before satellite spectrum is formally allotted.

    Through these collaborations, the low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellite broadband companies hope to make money from their products in the business-to-business (B2B) and business-to-government (B2G) markets. At the same time, they are getting ready to cater to the retail consumer market, whose price structures are still being decided.

    According to the media source, Amazon and Starlink have been attempting to establish collaborations in India. With an emphasis on the B2B and B2G markets, they have already found a few VSAT partners in India and are actively seeking more. They aim to make the best use of their India potential. Hughes Communications, Nelco, and Inmarsat are a few of the major VSAT providers in India.

    Eutelsat OneWeb will use a sell-through strategy through Indian partners, and both Starlink and Amazon Kuiper want to compete directly with it in both the enterprise and retail sectors.

    Hybrid Model go to Market for India

    According to a media report, Kuiper and Starlink are pursuing a hybrid go-to-market strategy in India. In addition to providing services directly, they are forming alliances to market through other partners.

    For example, Starlink has previously established a sell-through model collaboration with Reliance Jio and Airtel. According to the report, Starlink would soon start providing connections to customers directly through its website.

    In the same way, Kuiper will not depend on a single master distributor or handle everything on their own. This strategy was chosen because India is a adverse and new market.

    Bank branches, ATMs, remote petrol stations, warehouses, retail chains, cellular backhaul, maritime and in-flight connectivity, and defence infrastructure are among the common applications for VSAT service providers, all of which stand to gain from higher-bandwidth LEO-based upgrades.

    In terms of regulatory advancement, these changes put Starlink on par with Jio Satellite and Eutelsat OneWeb. Last month, it was granted a Global Mobile Personal Communications by Satellite (GMPCS) licence, making it the third business in India permitted to provide commercial satcom services.

    Although Starlink currently has a GMPCS permit, it has not yet received its IN-SPACe approval. According to a media report, Starlink has received a draft agreement from the Indian space regulator that is anticipated to be signed shortly.

    Additionally, Starlink will receive trial spectrum from the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) in exchange for completing security compliance demonstrations.

    Jyotiraditya Scindia, the minister of communications, met with senior executives from SpaceX, the parent firm of Starlink, a few days ago to explore joint venture possibilities for using satellite technology to fuel India’s digital infrastructure.

    Amazon Kuiper is now pending IN-SPACe and GMPCS certifications. The business has finished all necessary operational and security audits, and the next meeting of the interministerial standing committee is probably when its application will be examined.

  • Vodafone Idea on the Brink: Govt Shuts Door on More Equity Conversions

    Amid concerns over its long-term viability, the Indian government is presently addressing Vodafone Idea’s (Vi) financial difficulties and contemplating relief measures.

    Vi might not be able to fulfil obligations after 2028–2029 if payment terms are not even extended to adjusted gross revenue (AGR) dues.

    Although measures like extending the AGR payment period from six to twenty years are being discussed, government officials have warned that they may not guarantee Vi’s viability after 2028–2029.

    According to the Department of Telecommunications, Vi won’t have money for its FY27 obligations if it is required to pay the entire INR 18,064 crore instalment by the end of FY26.

    Vi Navigating Through Bundle of Challenges

    The government became the largest shareholder with a 48.99% stake in the company in March after converting INR 36,950 crore in spectrum arrears into stock at Vi’s request.

    Spectrum auctions held prior to 2021 were connected to these arrears. Vi’s financial future is still questionable in spite of this conversion. Vi has provided estimates through the Supreme Court’s 2030–31 deadline for the payment of AGR dues.

    A four-year moratorium on AGR and spectrum dues from FY22 had already been granted by the government. Vi is now required to pay out all of the debt in six instalments beginning this fiscal year.

    Vi’s January–March net loss of INR 7,166 crore was more than its October–December 2024 loss of INR 6,609 crore. It is currently negotiating with lenders after its board approved raising an extra INR 20,000 crore through loan or equity.

    According to SR Batliboi & Associates, the group’s capacity to function as a going concern depends on the DoT’s backing over the AGR issue. They also emphasised Vi’s difficulty producing the cash flows required to pay down or refinance obligations as they fall due.

    Vi Needs Immediate Bailout by Securing Loan

    Vi can pay its debts this fiscal year, but starting in FY27, it won’t be feasible without obtaining more than INR 25,000 crore in loans from the bank and financial institution loans, according to a telecom industry analyst.

    Motilal Oswal, a broking firm, cautioned that Vi may have a yearly liquidity shortage of INR 20,000 crore if AGR dues are not relieved or if debt fundraising activities are unsuccessful.

    Vi has INR 9,930 crore in cash and bank balance at the end of March. In discussions with the DoT, the business had acknowledged that it would not be able to fulfil post-moratorium payment schedules.

    Before a portion of the debt was turned into equity, the estimated payment for FY26 was more than INR 30,500 crore. The current talks show how difficult it is to guarantee Vodafone Idea’s existence in the face of growing financial strains and few alternatives for effective relief or obligation restructuring.

  • Starlink Set to Launch in India with INR 3,000 Monthly Plans, INR 33,000 Setup Fee

    With an anticipated monthly price of INR 3,000 for limitless bandwidth and a one-time fee of INR 33,000 for the receiver kit, Elon Musk’s satellite internet business Starlink is getting closer to offering its services in India.

    According to a media site, the service is anticipated to launch within the next 12 months. On June 6, Starlink achieved a significant milestone in its attempts to join the Indian broadband market by obtaining a vital licence from the Ministry of Telecommunications.

    With this approval, Starlink becomes one of the three companies permitted to provide satellite-based internet services in India, joining Bharti Airtel’s OneWeb and Reliance Jio’s satellite division.

    Through its constellation of low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellites, Starlink intends to provide 600–700 Gbps of bandwidth, focusing on rural and isolated regions where traditional fibre and mobile networks are still scarce or unreliable.

    Starlink is establishing itself as a premium service in areas where terrestrial internet is not an option, even though India is renowned for having some of the lowest data prices in the world. There were differing initial predictions regarding Starlink’s pricing in India.

    Sanjay Bhargava, the former head of Starlink India, had projected an initial cost of INR 1.58 lakh, which would drop to INR 1.15 lakh in later years. The revised numbers align the price with Starlink’s recent debut in Bangladesh, where the service is available for INR 3,000 per month with a hardware cost of INR 33,000.

    At the moment, Starlink serves a few Asian nations, such as Bangladesh, Bhutan, Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Japan. Standard plans cost between INR 4,000 and INR 6,000 per month, depending on the market, whereas Residential Lite plans in the region usually cost between INR 2,600 and INR 3,000.

    The first-year cost in Bangladesh, where the pricing plan is very similar to that suggested for India, is approximately INR 66,000. Before Starlink can begin operations in India, it still needs to clear further regulatory obstacles even after obtaining its operating licence.

    The DoT has yet to approve the spectrum allotment proposals made by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI). The necessary paperwork for DoT clearance has already been sent in by the business.

     After Starlink promised to abide by the most recent national security regulations for satcom operators, DoT granted initial clearance.

    These comprise 29 new requirements, including the usage of local data centres, the requirement for interception and monitoring systems, the ability for mobile terminals to track, and the stringent localisation of infrastructure and services.

  • By June, Satellite Internet Services Might be Introduced in India

    Satellite internet may be available in Indian skies as early as June. The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) is finalising a series of recommendations regarding the cost and usage of satellite communications that have been in the works for almost two years. The introduction of a framework and the distribution of spectrum will pave the way for Elon Musk’s Starlink, Sunil Bharti Mittal’s Bharti Airtel, and Mukesh Ambani’s Reliance Jio Infocomm to launch satellite internet services. Several media outlets have reported that the suggestions are almost complete. Because the proposals will include information on the revenue-sharing model of satcom services, the pricing and allocation of spectrum, and other relevant regulations, the regulator is taking its time.

     TRAI wants to swiftly submit the pricing and operational framework to the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) for approval with minimal opposition after it is released. TRAI may present its proposals in March, and the Digital Communications Commission is expected to adopt them with minimal modification following a brief consultation period. This will organise the auction procedure, which, including operator final testing, should take no more than two to three months. Satellite service providers should begin making money by June as well.

    Why India’s Satcom Battle is Getting Intense?

    Satcom uses satellites that link to a ground-based receiver that can provide data to gadgets like computers and cell phones. Between 2020 and 2022, India’s space industry was liberalised to grant access to satellite infrastructure and spectrum. Reliance Jio was persuaded to enter into a cooperative venture with Luxembourg-based satellite operator SES in February 2022 by the prospect of these services. A month prior, Bharti Airtel and Hughes Communications India, its joint venture partner, had inked a distribution agreement with OneWeb in the United Kingdom. OneWeb was purchased by Eutelsat of France in September 2023. Because it owned all of OneWeb’s India division, Airtel continued to be the largest shareholder of the newly established company after the purchase was completed. The third major rival in this market is Musk’s satellite internet services company, Starlink. Due to the Centre’s regulations, preorders were halted even though the service had briefly begun to receive security deposits from clients in preparation for a launch. Starlink has not yet received its Global Mobile Personal Communication by Satellite (GMPCS) licence.

    Pricing is the Key

    At a press conference held during the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona on February 3, Union telecoms minister Jyotiraditya Scindia declared that all satcom operators “will be treated equally” and that no one will receive preferential treatment. Analysts and industry participants anticipate the implementation of satcom services to occur soon as well, but they stress that cost is a crucial consideration. While the Telecommunications Act guarantees administrative allocation, which should result in the TRAI framework being implemented shortly, T.V. Ramachandran, president of the Broadband India Forum, stated that nominal pricing is necessary to guarantee access to the greatest number of users who would otherwise remain unconnected. An executive of the Airtel-OneWeb partnership reportedly told the media that Bharti Airtel has been prepared with its services, to the point where it can launch its operations in a very short amount of time. While the company’s satellite constellation and network are operational for enterprise use, regulatory uncertainty has only been impeding the sector.

  • DoT Orders Social Media Companies to take Action Against Telecom Act-Violating Content

    According to a media outlet, the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has ordered all social media companies, including Meta, Instagram, Google, and X, to take down particular apps or content that help users commit violations of the Telecommunications Act of 2023. This warning comes after some social media influencers were reported to have given users instructions on how to change their calling line identity (CLI) while making calls, which would result in the recipient seeing a different number. According to the advice, this is technically known as CLI spoofing, which is the altering of telecommunication identity. Such tampering is expressly prohibited by the Telecommunications Act.

    Why DoT has Directly Stepped in?

    Since social media platforms are under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Electronics and IT, the DoT normally does not deal with them; however, in this case, it stepped in since the content on the sites allowed users to break the Telecommunications Act. According to a source cited in the paper, any person or platform that promotes the misuse or manipulation of telecommunication identification must be stopped. By February 28, social media companies are expected to verify that they are complying with the directive.

    According to the advice, tampering with telecommunication identification is expressly prohibited by Section 42(3)(c) of the Telecommunications Act, 2023. While Section 42(7) of the Act stipulates that such offences are cognisable and non-bailable notwithstanding anything contained in the 1973 Code of Criminal Procedure, Section 42(3)(e) forbids obtaining subscriber identity modules or other telecommunication identification through fraud, cheating, or impersonation. These charges carry a maximum sentence of three years in prison, a maximum fine of INR 50 lakh, or both. The advice stated that “those who abet any offence under the Act also envisage the same punishment under Section 42 (6) of the Act.”

     According to DoT, social media sites and application hosting platforms must remove any content or programs that encourage or permit the tampering of telecom identifiers (such as CLI, IP address, IMEI, etc.) because doing so aids users in committing crimes. The advice further stated that action against such companies may be taken for creating or disseminating content that aids in the commission of offences under the Telecommunication Act, 2023, in addition to removing such content or applications.

    ITU and DoT Collaborate on AI-Powered Digital Twins

    A strategic relationship aimed at improving AI-driven digital twin technologies has begun with the signing of a Letter of Intent (LoI) between the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) and the International Telecommunication Union (ITU). The goals of this partnership are to advance sustainable development, create international standards, and stimulate innovation in infrastructure planning. The LoI will lay the groundwork for a number of projects that will incorporate next-generation technologies—such as digital twins, AI-driven solutions, and IMT-2030 technologies—into frameworks that will help vital industries like healthcare, urban development, and transportation.

    In an effort to bolster India’s position as a global leader in digital connectivity, Dr. Neeraj Mittal, Secretary of the Department of Telecommunications, signed the LoI while on an official visit to Geneva. Dr. Mittal talked on India’s leadership in 5G and 6G technologies, AI for digital transformation, and cybersecurity frameworks in talks with ITU leadership, including ITU Secretary-General Ms. Doreen Bogdan-Martin.

    ITU and DoT Partner to Develop AI-Powered Digital Twins
    ITU and DoT collaborate to develop AI-powered digital twins, enhancing virtual modeling and simulation capabilities for smarter decision-making.
    StartupTalkyNitin Konde

  • ITU and DoT Collaborate on AI-Powered Digital Twins

    A strategic relationship aimed at improving AI-driven digital twin technologies has begun with the signing of a Letter of Intent (LoI) between the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) and the International Telecommunication Union (ITU). The goals of this partnership are to advance sustainable development, create international standards, and stimulate innovation in infrastructure planning. The LoI will lay the groundwork for a number of projects that will incorporate next-generation technologies—such as digital twins, AI-driven solutions, and IMT-2030 technologies—into frameworks that will help vital industries like healthcare, urban development, and transportation.

    In an effort to bolster India’s position as a global leader in digital connectivity, Dr. Neeraj Mittal, Secretary of the Department of Telecommunications, signed the LoI while on an official visit to Geneva. Dr. Mittal talked on India’s leadership in 5G and 6G technologies, AI for digital transformation, and cybersecurity frameworks in talks with ITU leadership, including ITU Secretary-General Ms. Doreen Bogdan-Martin.

    India Cementing its Strong Base in Telecommunication Field

    The ITU’s Partner2Connect program, which attempts to close the global digital gap, was another topic of debate. India reiterated its dedication to backing ITU projects, especially those pertaining to skill development and global connectivity.

    Dr. Mittal suggested during his visit that India host the ITU-Plenipotentiary Conference in 2030. Positive reactions were received to this suggestion, and more talks will take place at the next ITU Council Meeting. This plan has a strong basis thanks to India’s recent achievement in hosting the World Telecommunication Standardisation Assembly (WTSA-2024) in New Delhi. By hosting the conference, India would further solidify its position as a focal point for international policy discussions on ICT legislation and telecommunications, thus influencing the direction of global connectivity.

    An important development in the function of telecommunications is the partnership between the DoT and ITU. Next-generation mobile communication technologies are platforms for flexible and dynamic infrastructure planning, not just for connectivity. AI and digital twins can be used to deliver real-time, intelligent data that radically alters the planning, design, and implementation of infrastructure and cities. Better planning, monitoring, and management of infrastructure projects are made possible by digital twins, which provide virtual versions of actual systems, increasing sustainability and efficiency.

    What AI-driven Digital Twin Technologies can Offer?

    Pervasive intelligence can be produced by AI-driven digital twin technologies, enabling open, networked systems that transform stakeholder collaboration on infrastructure projects. These developments make it possible to approach infrastructure and urban planning with greater flexibility and responsiveness, resulting in solutions that are better able to adjust to shifting circumstances. By opening up new business models, this strategy makes it possible to provide scalable, data-driven solutions that support long-term growth in vital industries. By using a comprehensive approach, future infrastructure will be durable and innovative, able to adapt to changing needs.

     The LoI lists a number of important areas for cooperation. Knowledge sharing and capacity building will be a key focus, promoting the sharing of ideas from projects such as the ITU’s Citiverse platform and the DoT’s Sangam project. Better data integration and cross-sectoral cooperation will be made possible by this partnership. The creation of international standards through contributions to ITU-T Study Group 20, which focuses on digital twins, smart cities, and the Internet of Things, is another crucial topic. The objective is to develop international standards and procedures that guarantee the interoperability and scalability of AI-driven solutions. In order to verify the revolutionary potential of digital twin technologies, DoT and ITU will also set up sandbox environments for testing and trial initiatives. In order to promote more participatory government, AI-powered platforms will also be utilised to involve individuals in urban planning.

    Lastly, by customising solutions to fit the unique requirements of various nations, the partnership will concentrate on privacy-enhancing methods in ICT measurement and AI model integration for digital twins. This partnership ushers in a new era of global infrastructure planning that promotes sustainability and creativity. An important step towards building a more sustainable and interconnected future for global infrastructure is this alliance.

    India and US to Deepen Ties in AI, Semiconductors, and Space
    India and the US are strengthening partnerships in AI, semiconductors, and space technology, fostering innovation and strategic collaboration.
    StartupTalkyNitin Konde