The New Telecom Policy , expected by March 2018, will focus on providing affordable internet access to 1.3 billion Indians and facilitate domestic manufacturing to curb dependence on imports.Telecom minister Manoj Sinha told ET the call drop situation has improved and competition will ensure quality services at affordable rates. “Internet to all will be the basic principle and to give a boost to telecom manufacturing would be a key factor of the new telecom policy ,” Sinha said.The government ’s ambitious Digital India umbrella programme, with an initial outlay of Rs 1.13 lakh crore, hinges on data connectivity and aims to bring 100% tele-density, high-speed internet highways and delivery of citizencentric services electronically.The new telecom policy will address sector issues and make them future-proof with the onset of disruptive technologies such as fifth generation (5G) and artificial intelligence (AI).“The new policy will be forward-looking and current challenges of new technologies such as Internet of Things (IoT) and artificial intelligence will be taken care of,” Sinha added. Analysts and the industry estimate high-speed data services with cross-industry IoT applications and AI-driven services, could open up close to 20% of additional revenue opportunity.“Service providers have upgraded network and there is a substantial improvement in call drops and service quality,” Sinha said, adding that the government expects operators to continue to upgrade infrastructure to ensure better quality.In June, Sinha met top executives of India’s telcos who had prepared an action plan for 100 days and a full year, collectively committing to deploy 60,000 base transceiver stations and spend Rs 12,000 crore. Operators, according to the telecom department, have met the goal and have added 3.49 lakh base stations with the optimisation of 4.08 lakh mobile towers in a year.A recent telecom department survey showed an 8 per cent improvement in consumer satisfaction over call drops and an additional 8% improvement target has been set for telcos to be achieved by December. Sinha said the Telecom Commission would soon take a decision on improving sectoral health after considering recommendations of the inter-ministerial group.“The inter-ministerial group has submitted its report and there were earlier discussions with telecom service providers too. IMG recommendations will be considered by Telecom Commission and a decision taken,” the minister said.The highest decision-making body in the telecom department last week sought more clarity on IMG suggestion to allow telcos to pay spectrum charges over a 16-year period instead of 10 years at present.The minister rejected a proposal to allot frequencies in the 700 MHz band, which is ideal for 4G services, to state-run telco Bharat Sanchar Nigam, saying, “As per policy, we can’t give spectrum to BSNL administratively.” BSNL had sought a block of 5 MHz of the 700 MHz band.Sinha said the telecom department has allowed communication arm of the Indian Railways to provide data connectivity across 200 rural stations initially via WiFi using the Universal Service Obligation funds, which are derived from a 5 per cent levy on adjusted gross revenue of telcos.