COAI launched “Sabka Internet, Sabka Vikas” to Connect 1 Billion Citizens

By Vigneshwar

| Published: Tuesday, April 28, 2015, 12:15 [IST]

COAI, the association of India's top mobile service operators, telecom equipment manufacturers, infrastructure and content service providers, represented by the CEO's of its member companies, recently announced "Sabka Internet, Sabka Vikas", an initiative to connect the 1 Billion unconnected citizens of India.

COAI launched “Sabka Internet, Sabka Vikas”

Launching the online platform www.sabkainternet.in, COAI reiteratred that the Internet should be for all and not remain the preserve of a few.

The leadership team of the member companies of COAI, namely - Mr. Ashok Sharma of Aircel, Mr. Gopal Vittal of Airtel, Mr. Himanshu Kapania of Idea Cellular, Mr. Shanker Adawal of Reliance Jio, Mr. Rajiv Bawa of Telenor, Mr. Arvind Bali of Videocon, and Mr. Sunil Sood of Vodafone India, were present to reaffirm their commitment to "Sabka Internet, Sabka Vikas" programme and promote Net Equality.

Elaborating its position over net neutrality, and concerns over operators allegedly controlling consumers' access to the Internet, the association stated:

We support an open Internet and believe that consumers should decide what to do online. Our job is to enable consumers to benefit from that freedom.
We offer choice and do not block or provide any preferential access to any web site or app.

COAI also underlined its commitment to the Digital India program and called for an open, inclusive and affordable access to the Internet for every Indian.

In terms of Internet penetration, India is ranked 142nd presently, way below some of its neighboring countries like Bhutan and Sri Lanka.

Further, Internet users are expected to reach over 500 million by 2018 - making India the second largest population of Internet users in the world.

Hence, innovations would be required across the ecosystem - affordable smartphones, more efficient networks, a vibrant OTT ecosystem, even more broad ranging applications (especially in areas such as education, health, governance) and pricing flexibility - that promotes greater digital inclusion; in order to achieve the Digital India dream.