The telecom department has unveiled the broad contours of the next telecom policy which will aim to attract investments worth $100 billion by 2020 in the digital communications sector, create four million additional jobs and enhance the sector’s contribution to 8% of India ’s GDP from about 6% in 2017, while adhering to the principles of net neutrality Under the The National Digital Communications Policy, 2018, the government plans to optimally price spectrum, review levies such as license fees and spectrum usage charges as well as M&A rules to ease exits while also taking a fresh look at spectrum sharing, leasing and trading guidelines, as part of its approach that spectrum is a key natural resource which is to be used for public benefit.“The National Digital Communications Policy, 2018 seeks to unlock the transformative power of digital communications networks - to achieve the goal of digital empowerment and well-being of the people of India,” the Department of Telecommunications ( DoT ) said, in a 22-page document aimed at seeking public comments.It aims to propel India’s rank in the ICT development index to top 50, from 134 in 2017.The DoT - after nearly a year of deliberations, consultations and discussions - said that the policy aims for regulatory reforms to ensure that the regulatory structures and processes remain relevant, transparent, accountable and forward-looking. “Additionally, the Policy aims to remove regulatory barriers and reduce the regulatory burden that hampers investments, innovation and consumer interest”.To this end, the DoT plans to review levies and fees including license fee, Universal Service obligation Fund (USOF) levy and concept of pass through revenues in line with principles of input line credit.“Rationalising spectrum usage charges (SUCs) to reflect the costs of regulation and administration of spectrum and rationalising taxes and levies on digital communications equipment, infrastructure and services,” will also for key elements of the new policy.It also plans to focus on fibre connectivity and uniform right of way for development of infrastructure needed for broadband connectivity across the country.Under the 2022 Secure India goals, the government aims to establish a comprehensive data protection regime for digital communications that safeguards the privacy, autonomy and choice of individuals and facilitates India’s effective participation in the global digital economy.“Ensure that net neutrality principles are upheld and aligned with service requirements, bandwidth availability and network capabilities including next generation access technologies,” the mission statement adds.The government also plans to explore and utilise the opportunities presented by next generation-networks like 5G and other access technologies including satellite communications to promote broadband for all across the country.The DoT recognizes airwaves as a key natural resource which is to be used for public benefit. For this, the department plans to make available adequate contiguous spectrum, timely identify new spectrum bands for 5G, further liberalize bandwidth sharing, leasing and trading rules, optimally price airwaves to ensure sustainable and affordable access to Digital Communications by all.“Recognising mid-band spectrum, particularly the 3 GHz to 24 GHz range, as central to India’s strategy for Next-Generation Networks; promoting the effective utilisation of high capacity backhaul E-band (71-76/ 81-86 GHz) and V-band (57-64 MHz) spectrum in line with international best practices; rationalizing annual royalty charges for microwave links for backhaul connectivity,” will also be key elements of the new policy.The policy also will create a roadmap for emerging technologies and its use in the communications sector, such as 5G, Artificial Intelligence, Robotics, Internet of Things, Cloud Computing and M2M.“It will aim to simplify licensing and regulatory frameworks whilst ensuring appropriate security frameworks for IoT/ M2M / future services and network elements incorporating international best practices iii. Earmarking adequate licensed and unlicensed spectrum for IoT/ M2M services iv. Encourage use of Open APIs for emerging technologies,” the DoT said.The goals also include development and deployment of robust digital communication network security frameworks, capacity building for security testing and establishing appropriate security standards and importantly, enforcing accountability through appropriate institutional mechanisms to assure citizens of safe and secure digital communications infrastructure and services.Under Connect India, the government has set mission of providing universal broadband coverage at 50 Mbps to every citizen by 2022, 1 Gbps connectivity to all gram panchayats of India by 2020 and 10 Gbps by 2022 and enabling fixed line broadband access to 50% of households.The government also aims to enable deployment of public Wi-Fi hotspots; to reach 5 million by 2020 and 10 million by 2022, besides ensuring connectivity to all uncovered areas.