All three telcos must share networks to ensure connectivity: Sunil Mittal

GSMA Chairman Sunil Mittal said, creating independent telecom network companies or netcos would be key to connecting the unconnected. But, admitted to the levels of resistance among those who see owing networks as their competitive edge.

He also cautioned on wasting dollars on building parallel, subscale networks and said India's experiment with having a dozen telecom operators had gone "completely wrong" and the market is consolidating to four players.

"...if you can bring an independent 'netco', which is again like a tower or a submarine cable consortium where no one person has influence, I think you will be able to cover the last billion, which is struggling to be covered," Mittal said addressing the keynote at Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2018.

He was responding to a question on whether or not his concept of 'netcos' which could be run by third parties, independent of the telecom companies, was gaining any ground.

Mittal said that while "progress" had been made in terms of the industry coming together for submarine cable and tower infrastructure consortiums, telecom networks are still perceived as a competitive advantage..

Today, the world is collectively dealing with the menace of Covid-19 and taking emergency measures to contain and eventually eliminate the virus. One such measure is the enforcement of ‘social distancing’; physical distancing intended to stop or slow down the spread of a contagious disease. All establishments are shutting, people are being asked to stay and work from home. As the world locks itself down and people’s movements are severely restricted, it is ‘virtual connectivity’ that is rising to the occasion.

This is now coming to play a very vital role in supporting the PM’s call on social distancing while keeping the country moving during such a pandemic.

This is the time to look forward, to act.

All three private players must lay down their arms and come together to share networks to ensure all customers of the country are served well. GoI should urgently implement the recommendations of the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) to reduce the burden of taxes and levies - essentially, stall all actions that can strain the financials of the few remaining operators.