On the basis of subscribers, India’s telecom sector is the second largest in the world. In the last decade, the Indian mobile economy has grown at a very fast pace and contributes to India’s GDP. Similarly, as per the data, in 2019, India surpassed the US and become the second-largest market in terms of downloading mobile apps. 

Anyone who wants to become a telecom consultant must know the role, such as what telecom consultant does. Other than this, the applicant must have knowledge of TRAI (Telecommunication Regulatory Authority of India).

What Does the Telecom Authority of India Mean?

The TRAI full form is the regulatory government authority of India. It is set up by the Government of India under section 3 of the TRAI Act, 1997 and it holds different members such as one chairman, a minimum of two full-time members, and only two part-time members. The responsibility of appointing all these members is of The Central Government. 

The members of TRAI should have knowledge of the telecom industry and must be skilled to perform that knowledge in different aspects of finance. Also, they should be able to regulate telecommunication services, management, industry, consumer affairs, law, and accountancy. 

The important aspect is that senior or retired Government officers can also be elected for the post of TRAI member. The member should have an experience of three years of service as an additional secretary under state or union governments. 

Government Initiatives for Telecom Sector

The government has expedited reforms, in the telecom sector. Remains proactive in facilitating growth opportunities for telecom companies. Some key initiatives taken by the government for telecom consulting company are as follows:

• In the Union Budget 2023 24 the Department of Telecommunications was allocated a total of Rs. 97,579.05 crore (equivalent to US$ 11.92 billion). This allocation includes Rs. 400 crore (around US$ 48.88 million) for Research and Development and Rs. 5,000 crore (approximately US$ 611.1 million) for Bharatnet.
• RailTel, a mini Ratna PSU introduced the Prime Minister Wi-Fi Access Network Interface (PM WANI) to provide public WiFi services across 100 railway stations in 22 states. This network consists of 2,384 WiFi hotspots.
• The Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF) officially launched the Telecom Technology Development Fund (TTDF) Scheme on October 1st, 2022.
• The Indian Telecommunication Bill of 2022 is being developed to update the existing framework, in the sector.
• On October 1st, 2022 Prime Minister Mr Narendra Modi launched the 5G in India.

These are just some of the initiatives which are taken by the government. The benefits of having a well-established telecom industry open are the door of advantages.

Advantages of the Telecom Industry in India

The following are the advantages of the telecommunication industry in India:

1. Robust Demand: India is the biggest consumer of data in the whole world. As per the TRAI, the average data consumption in a month is around 16 GB based on the data issued in June 2022. Similarly, the tale density in rural areas reached 57.69% in December. 
2. Attractive Opportunities: As stated above, the 5G is launched in India on October 1st, 2022. By 2026, the subscription of 5G will increase to 350 million for mobile subscriptions. Also, the 22 million skilled people will include in Artificial Intelligence, Robotics, Internet of Things (IoT) and cloud computing.
3. Policy Support: The Union Cabinet has approved the 12 crore product-linked incentives scheme for telecom and networking products under the Department o Telecom. On December 2022. For 6G technology, the Department of Telecommunication has developed a sixth-generation innovation group.

Role of Telecom Consultant

A telecom consultant is a trained professional who is specialized in designing, installing and maintaining various communications systems for sending and receiving information.

When the telecommunication industry was new, the focus of the job title was on telephone systems and wired telecommunication. In the era of technology, the role of telecom consulting companies has expanded to maintaining video, mobile, radio, and digital communication systems.

Telecom consulting services are found in banking, healthcare, insurance, and manufacturing but they are not limited to any particular industry. Their tasks include:

• Management, supervision and providing technical advice on telecom systems.
• Receive feedback, identify users' needs and requirements, and mobilize existing technology to meet their criteria.
• Documentation of plans, inquiries, activities and specifications as well as reporting on them.

The progressive and forward-thinking policies implemented by the government have played a crucial role in the expansion of the telecom industry in India. These policies
established a fair and proactive regulatory system, which has resulted in affordable telecom services being accessible to consumers. 

Furthermore, the relaxation of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) regulations has propelled this sector to become one of the growing industries, in India creating employment opportunities and contributing significantly to the economy.

Conclusion

The main motive of TRAI regulation is to monitor the activities of the telecom sector and telecom consulting services. Also to resolve the controversies between the license provider and license holder through the “Telecom Dispute Settlement Appellate Tribunal (TDSAI). If anyone is looking to become a consultant in India, he/ she must acquire a telecom license. To know more about this connect with us.

Author: Dushyant Sharma

Hey there, I'm Dushyant Sharma. With the extensive knowledge I've gained in past 8 years, I have been creating content on various subjects such as banking, insurance, telecom, and all the important registration and licensing processes for various companies. I'm here to help everyone with my expertise in these areas through my articles.