Trai seeks views on ways to boost digital connectivity/literacy

The telecom regulator has sought industry comments on digital inclusion parameters, and measures to better facilitate it for individuals and medium & small businesses.

In a discussion paper, issued Thursday, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) has invited views on initiatives to increase digital connectivity, digital affordability and digital literacy. It has also sought suggestions on steps needed to make satellite internet a viable option for providing connectivity in remote/ inaccessible areas.

“While availability of basic access infrastructure is a necessary condition for digital inclusion, it cannot be treated as a sufficient condition. A robust policy framework provides the right impetus to digital inclusion,” Trai said in its consultation paper on `digital inclusion in the era of emerging technologies.

It has also asked if the parameters – connectivity, affordability and literacy -- are sufficient to gauge digital inclusion in the country, in addition to seeking suggestions on the definition of digital inclusion. It also sought views on whether existing global indices to measure digital inclusion are sufficient to represent the measure of digital inclusion, or if new indices must be added.

The issues for consultation have been divided into the parameters mentioned, each tackling different questions to enhance connectivity, affordability and literacy around digital services.

“Is there any need to take steps to make satellite internet a viable option for providing connectivity to remote/ inaccessible areas?” Trai has asked. It also invited views on whether BharatNet and various schemes backed by the Universal Services Obligation Fund (USOF) are enough to achieve universal connectivity in the country.

On the issue of digital affordability, Trai has asked industry opinion on the measures taken to further boost affordability of smartphones and laptops through various schemes and whether more needs to be done. It wants to know if exploring the second-hand market would be a viable strategy to increase affordability of smartphones.

“Is there any need for policy interventions to increase digital affordability (digital devices and digital connectivity) among specific sections of society, for example, women, students, farmers, fishermen, economically weak, etc.?” Trai asked.

Further, it has sought views on measures that can be taken to engage the industry and academia in promoting digital literacy. “How can digital literacy toolkits developed by multiple industry players already available in the market be utilised to improve digital literacy levels in the country, especially for the rural citizens of the country?”

The consultation also has queries on the state of digital public infrastructure in the country, and how emerging technologies can help drive digital inclusion. For instance, Trai wants to know the steps needed to ensure AI and new technologies don’t result in further digital divide and every section of the society has access to new technologies, and the resultant economic opportunities.

It has also backed using a dashboard as a measure for evaluating and tracking the progress made in respect of the various indicators of the three key areas of digital inclusion and asked for industry inputs on its feasibility and effectiveness.

For digital inclusion of MSMEs, Trai has asked regarding the efforts required to provide reliable digital connectivity to MSMEs at affordable costs to empower them through new technologies for effective participation in the digital economic activities.

“What efforts can be made to increase awareness and digital literacy levels, especially in 5G, Big Data and AI/ ML, to the business owners and employees of the MSMEs?” the regulator asked.