Bharti Welcomes NTP 2011

NEW DELHI -- The draft National Telecom Policy 2011 released by the Honble Minister of Communications & IT, Shri Kapil Sibal is a welcome step in the right direction and signals the governments strong focus on future growth areas such as Broadband and Convergence.

The proposal to provide more spectrum, allow sharing of spectrum and allocation of spectrum through transparent market based processes are progressive policy decisions, which will provide much needed capacity augmentation to this vital sector.

The proposal to give infrastructure status to the telecom sector and rationalization of taxes & levies will provide much needed relief to the sector. This will help in further expansion of networks thus realizing the Government's vision of providing connectivity and affordable telecom services to all.

We look forward to constructive deliberations on the draft policy proposals and hope that the final policy will provide level playing field, encourage more investment in the sector - particularly in rural areas and for Broadband and ensure the long term sustainability and viability of the sector.

Bharti Airtel Ltd.