Liberalization and increased integration with the global economy have presented India both with enormous challenges and opportunities. India has been consistently clocking a growth rate of 7.5 per cent for the past three years. Fuelling this growth momentum for the last few years has been what I call the “fingertip revolution” in information and communication technology. A significant part of this can be attributed to the technological amalgamation”– with the help of IP-based communications solutions. The new, all-encompassing technology is not only impacting business, but also other sectors like education, health, agriculture and public governance, thereby building pace in the economic race. The conversion of telecommunications network content to digital standards has created an electronic network infrastructure that facilitates the convergence of formerly discrete telecom services on a single telecom network. More recently, Internet protocol, IP-based communications have permitted the convergence of data, pictures, music, video and voice communication services through the Internet.
Voice over IP, and more recently Video over IP (more commonly known as TVoIP) are the latest steps in the convergence process that has been under way for three decades. Now, all types of services (triple play of Voice, Video and Data) can be provided in an integrated manner over the Internet using IP. The Internet protocol is fast becoming the universal carrier for all communication traffic throughout the world. IP networks are growing rapidly in developing countries in India that need cost-effective systems, better traffic control and quality of service. Companies using IP-based communications solutions have reported cost savings up to 30 per cent. More importantly, the ease of adding new standardized features throughout the network enabled IP-based solutions to gradually replace traditional network architectures. The technology provides clear and speedy voice and data transmission over any distance using a single and unified network in place of separate voice and data networks.
The pervasiveness of IP and the evolution of the Internet have enabled telecom companies worldwide to capitalize on new market opportunities, generate new services and develop a broader customer base. Proliferation of Internet and IP-based communication technology has dynamically changed both the types and quality of communication services. With the steadily growing number of IP-enabled devices, the use of IP has become increasingly pervasive. Countries like India are among its greatest beneficiaries. Its IT and communication infrastructure is playing a critical role in the overall development. Coupled with the progressive and conducive policy changes, both the IT and communication sectors have stolen a march over other infrastructure sectors. In a way, IP-based communication solutions have become the catalyst for growth in many other economic sectors.
Improved communication technology has benefited rural initiatives such as “e-choupal”. The e-choupals have also promoted interactions between the farmers and scientists to promote better crop management. IP-based systems are also making a substantial impact upon the retail trade in agricultural and other commodities and facilitating the effective management of supply and demand of inventories. The healthcare sector has made rapid strides with the help of IP-based communication technology. With the help of triple play (voice, video and data), specialists in one country have already guided teams of surgeons operating in another country through video conferencing. There are a number of health facilities and services spawned by the convergence of voice and data networks and today heart ailments are routinely monitored from a distance.
Other sectors that benefit directly from the use of IP include public services such as the public distribution system for food and disaster management. Public policy intervention in the remote areas has been made more effective and monitoring made less cumbersome.
A large part of the rural areas though still needs better connectivity. India’s teledensity of about 18 per cent compares poorly with the world average at about 40 and that of China at about 42. The government’s progressive policy approach to its well-defined, proactive regulatory framework has facilitated large-scale private investment, substantial FDI and technological tie-ups, thereby putting India on the global map. India is on the threshold of a higher growth trajectory, riding on the ICT and IP-based applications.
