Government releases draft new telecom policy aimed at creating 40 lakh new jobs by 2022

Government has released the draft of the new Telecom policy - National Digital Communications Policy, 2018. The policy aims at creating 40 lakh new jobs by 2022, attracting 100 billion US dollars investment in the sector and ensuring broadband coverage at 50 mbps for every citizen. 

The draft proposes one Gbps connectivity to all Gram Panchayats by 2020 and 10 Gbps by 2022. It also proposes to address woes of the Telecom sector by reviewing licence fees, spectrum usage



charges, universal service obligation fund levy for enhancing ease of doing business in the sector.

The policy also aims to enhance the contribution of digital communications space to 8 per cent of the country's GDP from about 6 per cent last year. It recognises the importance of continued improvement in the regulatory framework for attracting investments and ensuring fair competition, to serve the needs of the people.