New Delhi : In a landmark event for India’s telecommunications sector, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to inaugurate the International Telecommunication Union-World Telecommunications Standardisation Assembly (ITU-WTSA) 2024 today at the Bharat Mandapam. This historic occasion will also see the launch of the eighth edition of the India Mobile Congress (IMC) 2024, with the theme ‘The Future is Now’. In a tweet announcing the event, PM Modi expressed enthusiasm, stating, “A big day for the telecom sector! At 10 a.m. tomorrow, the ITU-WTSA and the India Mobile Congress 2024 will be inaugurated.
These forums are important for bringing together leading stakeholders from across the sector.” The ITU-WTSA is expected to attract approximately 3,000 industry leaders, policymakers, and technology experts from over 190 countries, all convening to discuss the future of telecommunications and digital technologies. Union Minister of Communications, Jyotiraditya Scindia, remarked on the significance of this gathering, stating, “This historic gathering signifies a pivotal moment for India. We will be driving the future of global standards, ensuring connectivity for all and showcasing our tech prowess.”
Highlighting India’s rapid technological advancements, Minister Scindia pointed out the successful rollout of 5G technology across 36 states and union territories within just 22 months, providing coverage to 98 percent of all districts. He emphasized the economic potential of this rollout, projecting it could inject $450 billion into the economy by 2040. The ITU-WTSA is a governing conference organized every four years for the standardization work of the International Telecommunication Union, a UN agency focused on digital technologies. This year marks the first time the assembly will be hosted in India and the Asia-Pacific region.
It offers a crucial opportunity for India to influence the global telecom agenda and guide the development of future technologies while providing startups and research institutions with insights into Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) and Patents. In conjunction with the ITU-WTSA, the India Mobile Congress 2024 will showcase the nation’s innovation ecosystem, featuring advancements in Quantum technology and the Circular Economy.
As Asia’s largest digital technology forum, the IMC will host more than 400 exhibitors and around 900 startups from over 120 countries, presenting innovative solutions, services, and practical use cases tailored for industry, government, academia, and startups. With over 900 technology use case scenarios and more than 100 sessions featuring over 600 global and Indian speakers, the IMC promises to be a hub of knowledge and collaboration, driving forward India's digital future. As the event unfolds, it sets the stage for India to cement its role as a leader in the global telecommunications landscape.
