India Advances ICT Standardization Efforts at NTIPRIT Workshop

Ghaziabad: A two-day workshop on “Bridging the Standardization Gap” was held at the National Telecommunications Institute for Policy Research, Innovation and Training (NTIPRIT) in Ghaziabad on May 15-16, 2024. The event, aimed at enhancing India’s contribution to global ICT standardization, was organized by NTIPRIT under the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) in collaboration with the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Area office and Innovation Centre, New Delhi.

The workshop was inaugurated by Madhu Arora, Member (Technology) of the Digital Communications Commission, Department of Telecom, Government of India. Attendees included officers from DoT field units, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI), telecom service providers such as Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL), the Telecom Engineering Centre, and various startups.

The event focused on developing skills in telecom standards writing, which is essential for a country’s technological and economic development. By participating in standardization, countries can shape future technologies, drive economic growth, bridge the digital divide, ensure global interoperability, enhance security, and foster international collaboration.

In her inaugural address, Arora emphasized the critical role of standardization in achieving digital equity and technological advancement. Deb Kumar Chakrabarti, Director General of NTIPRIT, highlighted the importance of global standards in ensuring interoperability, innovation, and seamless communication across various industries. Martin Adolph, Study Group Counsellor at ITU, provided insights into the processes of drafting and achieving consensus on international telecommunications standards.

The workshop included interactive and training sessions covering topics such as participation in ITU-T standardization efforts and detailed training on the Bridging the Standardization Gap (BSG) programme. ITU experts, including May Thi Aye and Martin Adolph, facilitated these sessions.

In the concluding session, R Shakya, Senior Advisor at the ITU Area office, and Atul Sinha, DDG (ICT) at NTIPRIT, highlighted that the workshop was part of the preparatory activities for the World Telecommunication Standardization Assembly (WTSA), which India is set to host from October 15-24, 2024. They noted that this workshop sets the stage for enhanced participation of Indian experts in the upcoming WTSA-2024, reflecting India’s commitment to leading in global telecommunications policy.