Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi inaugurated the new Regional Office and Innovation Center of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) in India at an event at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi. During the event, the Prime Minister unveiled the India 6G Vision Paper and also launched the 6G Research and Development Centre. Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi also launched the 'Call Before You Dig' app and also addressed the Prime Minister's House on this occasion.
International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Information and Communication Technology (ICT)
The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) is the United Nations' specialized body for information and communications technology (ICT). Its headquarters is located in Geneva. It is a network of Regional Offices, Zonal Offices and State Offices. India had signed a host country agreement with the International Telecommunication Union in March 2022 to set up a regional office.
The regional office in India also envisages an innovation center attached to it, making it unique among other regional offices of the International Telecommunication Union. The regional office, which is fully funded by India, is located on the second floor of the Center for Development of Telematics (C-DOT) building in Mehrauli, New Delhi. It will serve India, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Maldives, Afghanistan and Iran, enhancing coordination among nations and promoting mutually beneficial economic cooperation in the region.
What is Bharat 6-G Vision Document
A vision paper on Bharat 6-G (TIG-6G) has been prepared by the Technology Innovation Group. The group was formed in November 2021 with members from various ministries/departments, research and development institutions, academia, standardization bodies, telecom service providers and industry to develop an action plan and road map for 6G service in India.
The 6-G test center will provide a platform to academic institutions, industry, start-ups, MSMEs, industry etc. to test and validate emerging ICT technologies. The India 6G Vision Document and 6G Test Center will provide an enabling environment for innovation, capacity building and rapid technology adoption in the country.
Call Before You Dig App
Launched the Call Before You Dig (CBUD) app exemplifying the Prime Minister's vision of integrated planning and coordinated implementation of infrastructure connectivity projects under PM Gati Shakti.
It is a device that enables monitoring of underlying assets such as optical fiber cables. It is envisaged to stop the losses due to unorganized mining. Due to this, the country suffers a loss of about 3000 crore rupees every year. The Call Before Digging mobile app will connect excavators and asset owners via SMS/email notification and click to call for planned excavations in the country, while ensuring the safety of underground assets.
The Call Before You Dig app will benefit all stakeholders by improving the ease of doing business by adopting a 'whole-of-government approach' in the governance of the country. This will prevent potential business losses due to lesser disruption of essential services like road, telecom, water, gas and electricity and reduce inconvenience to citizens.
The event was attended by IT/Telecom Ministers, International Telecommunication Union Secretary General and other senior officials, heads of UN/other international bodies in India, industry leaders, start-ups and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) including academicians, students and other stakeholders also participated.