Protecting country, citizens and businesses on cyber security front: Jyotiraditya Scindia

The country's state-run telco has so far remained an outlier due to slow internet service, but communications minister Jyotiraditya Scindia on Thursday promised to launch 4G and 5G services in BSNL and MTNL "at the earliest".

Scindia also said that the government is working for MTNL's sovereign guarantee bond and there will be no default even though its operations will be transferred to BSNL.

Speaking at an India Mobile Congress event, Scindia said that despite the delay, people should have "national pride" and be patient in waiting for the upgrade as it is being done on indigenous technologies and not on something foreign-sourced.

Tata-run Tejas and a consortium of TCS and public sector C-DOT are working on complex technologies to develop 4G and 5G telecom infrastructure that will be deployed on BSNL and MTNL networks. "I am confident that we are on track to deploy one lakh RANs (Radio Access Networks) for this endeavour." The minister said

Scindia said the government's efforts are to develop technology in India that will be used not only for domestic use but also for export.

The minister also said that the government wants to be supportive in enabling the growth of the sector as opposed to acting as a regulator. He said that after witnessing rapid growth in 5G and India is now working to become a leader in the development of 6G technology. His words were "A country that followed the world in 4G, followed it in 5G, will now lead when it comes to 6G."

Scindia said that India is now working on encouraging the development of apps and solutions for 5G that will be deployed in rural areas.

Regarding cyber security, the minister said that as India is developing on the digital front, threats are looming on the cyber security front. “Wars today are not only fought on land when it comes to cyber security, protecting the country, citizens and businesses becomes critical.