Jamshedpur, May 19: World Telecom day was celebrated at the premises of Institution of Engineers, Jamshedpur Local Centre. B N Singh, Sr.General Manager , Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited, Jamshedpur was the chief guest .
Dinesh Kr Prasad , Hony. Secretary of the Centre introduced the chief guest. Based on a theme provided by International Telecommunication Union. This year theme is “ICT Entrepreneurship for Social Impact”.
In his keynote speech Singh spelt out Last year, in 2015, we celebrated ITU’s 150th anniversary, reaffirming its reputation worldwide as one of the most resilient and relevant organizations devoted to connecting the world with the most innovative means of communication.
As we celebrate World Telecommunication and Information Society Day 2016, marking the establishment of ITU on 17 May 1865, we continue to look to future advances in communications.
Through this forum, I extend my best wishes to all the stakeholders whose active involvement and sustained effort has made the Indian Telecom and ICT, a power to reckon with, and one which has caught the attention of the entire world.
It will not be an overstatement to say that telecommunications has the power to transform countries, economically and socially. It’s true value lies in harnessing the latest technologies and making telecommunication services universally accessible. Progressive government policies and imaginative telecommunications managers could help in empowerment of the masses. Today, ICTs underpin everything we do.
The growth of Indian Telecom has also been that of unprecedented growth and widespread exhilaration. The total connections has increased from 54.48 Million in March 2003 to 300 Mn in March 2008 to 1051.8 Million in Feb 2016, with mobile leading the share with 97.5%.
The Tele-density in the country increased from 5.11% in 2003 to 52.74 % in March 2010 to 82.89% in Feb 2016. In the rural area tele density increased from 1.49% in Mar 2003 to 24.31% in March 2010 to 50.76% in Feb 2016 and in the urban areas it increased from 14.32% in Mar 2003 to 119.45% in March 2010 to 153.93% in Feb 2016 .
The total broadband customers as on Feb 2016 stands at 144.87 Mn with tele density of 11.4 %, with wireless broadband dominating the share with 88%.
The function was well attended by distinguished engineers and guest. Vote of thanks was given by Dinesh Kumar Prasad Hony. Secretary , of the centre.