Technology Impact: Better Times for IT & Telecom
Focus on Data centers is a welcome move
Rajiv Kapoor, Vice President, India & SAARC, Cambium Networks
The Union Budget provides a major boost to the interests of broadband services enablers and aligned stakeholders as one of the major takeaways that evidently emerged was the fact of connectivity being at the core of all key pursuits planned by the government. Towards this, initiatives announced such as providing push to smart metering, setting up five new smart cities, establishing new data centres across the country and more importantly the allocation of Rs.6000 crore towards BharatNet to provide connectivity to 100,000 gram panchayats within this year itself, augers well for the telecom industry.
Trishneet Arora – Founder & Chief Executive Officer, TAC Security
With the allocation of Rs. 8000 crore for the National Mission on Quantum Computing and Technology and an indication at the opening of Cyber Forensic University, the Government proposition for digital penetration to make FTTH accessible to 10 lakh Gram Panchayat via Bharat Net will help position India against global leaders in the sector. This will give a big boost to the cyber security industry.
The Finance Minister also announced establishing Data Centre Parks for the private sector and a focus on Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning to enhance the health industry under the Ayushman Bharat scheme which further strengthens the confidence of the Cyber Security sector making its way into important industries, coming to the rescue of the national economic health. Also, with the proposition for five new smart cities in collaboration with states via PPP model will open up new opportunities for Quantum Technology generating new opportunities for different players in the IT sector.
Dr. Keshab Panda CEO&MD, L&T Technology Services.
From a perspective of the engineering and technology services industry that thrives on innovation, the government’s move to re-revitalize the IP filing and protection process is a welcome step. Additionally the thrust on quantum computing as a key focus promises to further consolidate India’s position in the global digital transformation landscape. The announcement of proposal to set-up Data Centers is also a step in the right direction in terms of acknowledging the importance of data and data analytics.
Kushal Nahata, CEO & Co-founder, FarEye
The logistics industry has been a key focus for the government in the past few years and with the announcement of the soon to be launched National Logistics Policy- the industry is going to get a major boost. Allocation of Rs 1.7 lakh crore for transport infrastructure in FY21 and the move to monetize 12 lots of highway bundles of over 6,000kms before 2024 is welcoming news as it will positively impact freight movement and transportation expenditures.
The government’s focus on promoting disruptive technologies like AI and IoT is critical for the supply chain and logistics industry. It’s important for enterprises to leverage these technologies to improve operational efficiencies and keep margins wider. The government’s plan to bring out a policy for data center parks throughout the country will definitely empower the IT-services industry.
Sachin Haritash, Founder & CEO, Mavyn
We welcome the policy to build data centres throughout the country which is a great initiative that will empower young generation in rural India to work digitally and be entrepreneurs on shared economy. Over the years, the extensive use of technology has transitioned logistics to becoming an organized business sector in India. Analytics, IoT and AI are changing the world and digital revolution will see the next wave which will achieve seamless delivery of services.
The mechanism of E-way bill is a great relief and has resulted in improving turnaround time drastically for the logistics sector as a whole. With the introduction of GST in 2017, it has helped logistics firms to reduce transit time, reduce paperwork and channelize the relation between sellers and customers. The proposed National Logistics Policy will bring all stakeholders under one single platform. The policy will create a single window e-logistics market and focus on the generation of employment, skills and making MSMEs competitive.
Jitendra Chaddah, Chairman, IESA
The vision for the semiconductor and electronics industry in the budget speech is encouraging. It focuses on leveraging new technologies to build countrywide digital infrastructure, skill-building and drives growth by providing cost benefits for electronics manufacturing in India. The scheme to boost the intelligent electronics & semiconductor ecosystem by the manufacturing of mobile phones, semiconductor packaging and electronic equipment, assures more investment.