TRAI Chief remarks on bright future of telecom sector

Outgoing TRAI Chief of Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI), RS Sharma has remarked that the telecom sector, backed by strong demand for services and its ability to adapt swiftly to changes even amid COVID-19 disruptions, has a bright future ahead.

The chief has full assurance in the professionalism of telecom operators and trusts that the competition is the name of the game and competitive pricing will continue in a free market economy.

TRAI Chief said while every sector has its share of ups & downs and variations, the telecom industry has steered through the troublesome period during the pandemic, handling not only the spike in demand but also the changes in the pattern of traffic, as network loads shifted from enterprise premises to homes. He also said that competitive pricing will continue in a free market economy. The chief pointed out that the free-market economy has also brought major benefits like greater efficiencies, better services, and cost-effective measures.

He concluded while saying, “I believe that the market takes care of itself. If there is a free play in the market, we should have faith in the free market system, and unless there is a market failure, one should not intervene.” Speaking in favour of light-touch regulation, he added that until and unless there is a market failure, one should not regulate unnecessarily.