Effective spectrum management to boost innovation in telecom sector: TRAI’s AK Lahoti

An effective spectrum management strategy can create an environment to help innovation flourish in the telecom sector, said a senior official of the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) on Tuesday.

“He underscored that effective spectrum management is not merely about allocation; it is about creating an environment where innovation can flourish, connectivity is universally accessible, and economic growth is fostered,” said AK Lahoti, Chairman of TRAI at the inaugural of the South Asian Telecommunication Regulators’ Council (SATRC) Workshop on Spectrum, as per an official statement of the Ministry of Communications.

He also emphasised the critical role of effective spectrum management in today’s digital environment, and noted that the telecom sector is at the forefront of innovation and empowerment, driving digital transformation, and delivering solutions that enhance the quality of life, as per the statement.

Recognising the critical role of the radio frequency spectrum, SATRC established a Working Group on Spectrum.

“He emphasised that the workshop provides an excellent platform for sharing insights on emerging technologies, spectrum allocation, and policy development,” the sector regulator’s chief said, as per the statement.

Lahoti said the workshop will help build regulatory capacity, strengthen cross-border cooperation, and support sustainable growth in the telecommunications sector, according to the ministry’s statement.

He was unanimously elected as the Chairman of SATRC in November 2024.

India’s telecom regulator hosted the 25th meeting of the SATRC in the national capital last November for the third time with the presence of regulatory officials from Afghanistan, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Iran, Nepal, and Pakistan.

Masanori Kondo, Secretary General of the Asia-Pacific Telecommunity (APT), at the workshop emphasised APT’s underscored the necessity for regional collaboration in the efficient management of spectrum resources.

Abdul Kayum, Chair of the SATRC Working Group on Spectrum, highlighted the challenges faced by regulators and the necessity for innovative solutions to optimise spectrum usage.