AnantLaw authored insights on Technology, Media, Telecommunications that were published in Global Chambers Guide TMT 2022.
The TMT sector is one of the most rapidly evolving sectors in the world, with the growing need for technology-driven facilities, utilities and conveniences, in addition to better connectivity, prompting global legal systems to account for technological changes and their translation into the law. Artificial intelligence (AI), augmented and virtual reality, gaming, e-commerce, video and audio conferencing, data security and online content, among others, have led to not just a greater requirement of tools, technology and convergence but also updated regulatory and policy regimes. The issues and challenges arising from the emergence of new technologies and modes of communications are required to be swiftly and aptly covered under the legislative and policy framework.
The COVID-19 pandemic has continued to severely impact industries on a global scale. The critical need for technology and accessibility from the remotest corners of India, in order to carry on day-to-day operations, fast forwarded the growth of the TMT sector in India by several years.
Technology and media tend to attract more attention because of their familiarity and closeness to the consumer base, but it is the telecommunications sector that facilitates the structures and infrastructures in which technology and media operate. This structural role has been played well by the stakeholders involved in the telecommunications industry in India.
2021 saw a marked shift in the approach to technology and the deployment of technological systems. In 2020, the immediate need for technology to provide quick solutions was the driving factor for the rapid development of technological systems, but in 2021 the focus on technology was driven by curiosity and a desire to venture into new areas of its implementation.
2021 saw several dynamic changes to the existing framework of laws and regulations in various areas of the TMT sector, including the introduction of new policies, legislation and regulations covering cloud computing, the regulation of intermediaries and social media operators, space, fintech and telecommunication services. These sectors have attracted the attention of the Indian government as the fastest developing areas, and have also received injections of funds. The Indian government is working on introducing a regulatory framework to regulate cryptocurrencies/crypto-assets in India, and on the possible launch of its own cryptocurrency. While presenting the Union Budget for year 2022-23, the Finance Minister categorically stated that the Reserve Bank of India shall issue its own cryptocurrency, to be considered as crypto-assets (and liable for taxation). The government has also introduced a Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme for the telecommunications sector, with a view to making India a lucrative destination for manufacturing activities.
India is the second largest telecommunications market in the world. The sector has shown remarkable growth over the past decade, with substantial contributions to the country’s gross domestic product and a telecoms subscriber base of more than 1.1 billion. The telecommunications sector has been of particular interest to the Indian government, which has been prompt and attentive in increasing the ease of doing business for market players. Owing to the pandemic and a general increase in the subscriber base, the total wireless data usage in India increased by 16.54% quarterly to reach 32,397 petabytes in the first quarter of financial year 2021–2022.
Full publication authored by AnantLaw can be downloaded from link below.