TRAI Chairman R S Sharma has explained how work-from-home, online learning are fuelling need for massive investment in digital infra. Sharma says, "With work-from-home, online learning, and in-home entertainment fuelling demand for robust digital infrastructure, massive investments would be needed especially in areas like Fibre-to-the-Home, data centres, in-building solutions and proliferation of wifi hotspots."

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"Huge infrastructure is required to be created for achieving objectives of connect India mission, and this is only possible with required investments to be brought into sector in next couple of years," he said addressing an event organised by Tower and Infrastructure Providers Association (TAIPA). Terming telecom infrastructure and services as key enablers and critical determinants of the country's digital and economic growth, Sharma said that creation of robust telecom infrastructure - a capital-intensive sector -- will play a key role in seamless connectivity, which is essence of true digitisation.

India has moved quickly on path of rapid digitisation, he said adding that given significant capabilities in telecom and software, the country stand poised to benefit from new digital technologies and platforms.

"While significant coverage of 4G is now a reality, there is still room to strengthen the underlying infrastructure essentially supporting the backhaul to improve performance matrix. Building suitable telecom infrastructure has a direct affect on the quality of telecom services, and the growth of telecom services have on growth of economy. Hence it is important that we invest more and more in infrastructure," Sharma said.

"5G will require huge investments in fiberization by infrastructure providers in coming years," he said.

There are still several challenges involved in the roll out of networks in unserved and underserved areas, including rural and remote locations. "The challenges arise due to low reach of infrastructure in rural areas, low population density and lack of viable business case - all of which should be addressed with suitable policy prescription," he added.

"Robust telecom infrastructure is also key for realising Digital India mission, and for reaping the benefits of futuristic technologies like 5G, Internet of Things (IoT), Machine to Machine communications, Artificial Intelligence, leading to transformation into the digital era," he said. Deployment of innovative and contact-free services across verticals in post-pandemic era will increase demand for digital infrastructure, Sharma said noting that COVID-19 has made digitisation a "necessity rather than a choice".

"To address the growing demand of work-from-home, in-home entertainment, digital learning and ensure equitable access to the internet and technologies, we need to significantly ramp-up digital infrastructure which includes traditional telecom infrastructure and new age systems and network like content delivery networks," he said. With demand for digital services increasing at a rapid pace, massive investments are needed into digital infrastructure, specially in areas like FTTH, data centers, in-building solution and proliferation of wifi hotspots, he added.