India’s telecommunications sector has evolved over the years. The latest from the state-owned BSNL is the launch of the nation’s first Direct-to-Device Satellite Connectivity that can be availed by its users/subscribers across the country. This solves the long-standing issue of lack of connectivity in remote areas and in odd times. Users can connect their device with home, office etc even from and to locations where cellular or WiFi networks used to be unavailable. Dial anytime to anywhere would be the new slogan for the premier communications agency that had faced a lot of flak for its undependable services in the past.
From undependable landlines to mobile phones was a major step forward for India’s telecommunications sector, which was done a while before the turn of the century. The conditions for this were created by reforms introduced in the sector during the term of Rajiv Gandhi as Prime Minister. Indian technocrat Sam Pitroda, who had a stint with premier technology firms in the United States, spearheaded this reform here in his capacity as adviser to PM, also during the period of Manmohan Singh. He boldly dumped the nation’s antiquated telecommunications equipment and led an upgrade since the late 1980s. In all, he led six technology missions related to various fields under the Congress rules, all of which have served the nation well. That he met with stiff resistance from the corrupt establishment in effecting forward-looking changes in various sectors is no secret. Under Rajiv Gandhi, however, Pitroda’s word was law when it came to the telecommunications sector. Without Pitroda, the mobile phone revolution would have taken ages to materialize here. Today, there are over 1.12 billion active mobile phone connections in the country, covering some 80 per cent of the population. Even banking services and cash transactions are done now through mobile phones, signifying the importance of both the telecom reforms and mobile revolution in the country.
Before the onset of the mobile phone age, the scenario was chaotic. It used to take months or years to get a landline connection up until the 1990s. The telecommunication staff used to play hide and seek, also in situations when a connection developed snags. After the arrival of mobile phones, there were irritants of other sorts. Lack of accessibility/connectivity in remote areas was one problem. Different service providers, both BSNL and private entities, quoted different rates. The number system itself caused difficulty and confusion under such circumstances. The migration from one to another raised issues. Connectivity during travel was a problem. Yet, admittedly and appreciably, this sector has evolved and progressed by leaps and bounds since the 1990s. Notably, the arrival of Jio services reduced tension related to rates. Direct to Device Satellite Connectivity to subscribers will majorly address the existing issues and make telephone calls and internet access easier.
