PSUs, startups must work together for 5G, says Sinha

Union Communications Minister Manoj Sinha on Sunday said that PSUs and Startups must work together on the introduction of upcoming 5G technology.

Speaking at the closing ceremony of the two-day ICT and IOT Startup Tech Expo organised by ITI in Bengaluru, Sinha said startups have a major role in nation building efforts.

“Young India should serve India and startups should materialise their ideas. With more than 20,000 startups, India has the second largest ecosystem for startups in the world,” he said.

Sinha lauded ITI for coming up with the events to provide an effective platform for startups to convert their innovative ideas into marketable products and services for ICT and defence sectors.

The minister said government plans to empower citizens residing even in remote areas under PM’s flagship initiative BharatNet to provide fast speed internet across the country.

Telecom lab

ITI Ltd also entered into an agreement with Telecommunication Engineering Center (TEC), New Delhi, for establishment of modern telecom testing labs at its Bengaluru plant to facilitate mandatory testing of imported and indigenous telecom equipment in India. The agreement was signed in the presence of Sinha and Telecom Secretary and Chairman of the Telecom Commission Aruna Sundararajan.

“The agreements signed on Sunday will also help ITI diversify into manufacturing in partnership with the startups, thereby supporting the sustainable turnaround of ITI,” Sinha said.

Speaking at the function, Department of Telecommunications Secretary Aruna Sundararajan said under the draft National Digital Communications Policy 2018 the government envisages every Indian household to have access to broadband with a speed of 50Mbps. “We want every development Institution in India should receive 100 Mbps broadband. We missed earlier buses but we will not miss the 5G bus,” she added.