Delivering the welcome speech, Venugopal Dhoot, Chairman, CMAI Association of India, said, “I thank the minister for the vision and guidance, that has led to this momentous achievement of 500 million subscribers, much before the projected time period. Today India is veritably witnessing a telecom revolution and it is playing a pivotal role in redefining the socio-economic fabric of the country.”

 

“I am positive that this growth in the telecom segment, will be an inclusive one bringing the benefit of technology to all strata of society,” he further added.

 

Making the key note address, Ravi Sharma, Executive Chairman of the association, said, “This historic achievement also brings with it some equally great challenges. First, one has to see that with increase penetration, the consumer interest is safeguarded and QoS is not compromised. There has to be a balance between business interest and consumer interest. In view of the larger interest of consumers, there should be a Zero mobile termination charge regime, the benefit of which is passed on to the consumers. ”

 

The minister said, “I am very happy to note that CMAI is taking active interest in the overall development of telecom and IT sector. It is a matter of pleasure that it is also engaged actively in advocating the interests of consumers. I wish them all the success in their endeavour of providing quality yet affordable products and services to the consumers.”

 

NK Goyal, President of the association, thanked the minister for his presence at the function. He assured all telecom stakeholders of the association's support in promoting growth of the sector and asked them to increase penetration of the same in the rural areas.

 

To further consumer interest, CMAI has recently set up a body to pursue the formation of mobile consumer courts to address consumer grievances Law and Justice minister Veerappa Moily, has agreed to consider the demand of creation of such consumer courts.