Telcos must ensure quality service to customers: Prasad

Telecom Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad today said the industry needs to walk the "extra mile" to ensure that quality service is delivered to people and that consumers do not face issues like call drops.

Speaking at the FICCI CEOs Roundtable, Prasad said telcos need to improve their services. "I have told you always that you have to improve your services and that is in your hands... Spectrum is there... People want quality service.

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I get complaints every day... Please understand I am willing to walk the extra mile but you have to walk that extra mile," he said. He was addressing top leaders from the industry, including representatives from technology, telecom, Internet and value added services verticals.

The round table was attended by the likes of Bharti Infratel Executive chairman Akhil Gupta, Vodafone India Director Regulatory and External Affairs P Balaji, Xiaomi India head Manu Jain, Micromax co-founder Vikas Jain, HP India VP and GM (Printing and Personal Systems) Rajiv Srivastava and Ericsson's Manoj Dawane among others.

The industry memebers highlighted various issues including multiple restrictions by state and municipal authorities in setting up telecom infrastructure, concerns around radiation and taxation.

Gupta said while the efforts of the government on promoting Digital India are commendable, issues around setting up base stations and concerns around radiation are a major impediment to rolling out infrastructure in the country.

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Echoing similar views, other representatives suggested that such approvals come in faster to ensure that various e-initiatives can be rolled out at a faster pace for consumers.

The Minister said he will take the industry on board and engage in further discussions around right of way and address other concerns around development of products, especially software, focussed on the needs of the Indian market. Prasad said the government is working towards 'Digital Inclusion'.

In this regard, the process of digitally linking services, such as healthcare and postal, with community centres in rural areas have already begun. 'Digital India' programme needs massive investments, said Prasad and urged the industry to take advantage of the opportunities in the sector.

"The government is working towards 'Digital Inclusion'. In this regard, the process of digitally linking services, such as healthcare and postal, with community centres in rural areas have already begun. Digital India' programme needs massive investments and the industry needs to take advantage of the opportunities in the sector," he said.

Stating that electronic manufacturing has been one of the neglected sectors, Prasad said his ministry has been pursuing it vigorously and has been able to take the entire country onboard to drive this initiative.

"The success of 'Digital India' would lead to employment generation, both primary and ancillary, and enhancing digital literacy of the citizens," the Minister said.

Source: PTI