The 25th South Asian Telecommunication Regulators’ Council (SATRC-25) meeting, inaugurated by India’s Minister of Communications, Jyotiraditya M. Scindia, is currently underway in India. The three-day event, hosted by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) and organized by the Asia-Pacific Telecommunity (APT), focuses on addressing regulatory and technological challenges within the telecommunications sector.
The event has gathered regulators and telecommunication leaders from SATRC countries, including Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Iran, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. Representatives from APT are also in attendance. Key dignitaries at the event include Dr. Chandra Sekhar Pemmasani, Minister of State for Communications and Rural Development; Masanori Kondo, Secretary General of APT; Major General (Retd.) Mohammad Emdad UI Bari, Chairman of Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission; Anil Kumar Lahoti, Chairman of TRAI; and Atul Kumar Choudhary, Secretary of TRAI.
In his keynote address, Scindia emphasized India’s rapid digital transformation, calling the country a “digital titan” with 1.2 billion telephones and 970 million internet users. He predicted that by 2026-27, 20% of India’s economy would be digital. Scindia stressed the importance of regulatory cooperation across South Asia to foster a secure, inclusive, and innovation-driven digital ecosystem.
A central theme of Scindia’s speech was the role of Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTNs) in expanding connectivity to underserved regions. He described NTNs as a “transformative opportunity” that can advance digital access and support the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). He also urged SATRC member nations to align their policies to balance technological progress with security and regulatory standards.
Dr. Chandra Sekhar, Minister of State for Communications, further emphasized the role of telecommunications in empowering communities, highlighting India’s commitment to regional digital transformation. Masanori Kondo, APT Secretary General, called for harmonized regional policies to ensure a sustainable and inclusive digital ecosystem.
Anil Kumar Lahoti, Chairman of TRAI, addressed the importance of cross-border partnerships to ensure fair access to digital resources and reduce the digital divide. Major General (Retd.) Mohammad Emdad UI Bari, Chair of SATRC and head of Bangladesh’s Telecommunication Regulatory Commission, celebrated the progress of SATRC over the last two decades and expressed optimism for continued regional cooperation to harness digital transformation for the benefit of South Asia’s citizens.
The SATRC-25 meeting will continue to address key topics such as radio frequency coordination, regulatory trends, telecommunications development strategies, and international telecommunication affairs, aiming to foster a collaborative approach to digital growth and innovation across South Asia.
