Govt to invest $ 20 bn in ICT sector by 2010

New Delhi, Dec 12: To add further muscle to the telecom growth story, the Government will invest 20 billion dollars in the ICT sector by 2010, Union Telecom Minister A Raja said today.

Addressing the inaugural session of India Telecom, 2007 Mr Raja said, ''In the telecom manufacturing itself there has been a commitment of more than 2 billion dollars and we expect fresh commitment of about 2 billion dollar in next one year.'' These investments will contribute significantly to employment generation and GDP (Gross Domestic Product) growth, he added.

Mr Raja, however, stressed on the need for achieving equitable and sustainable growth by taking the benefits to the common masses.

The Minister informed that the decision of providing support from USO fund for mobile telephony and broad band services will open up the vast and untouched market in rural areas of the country that comprises 70 per cent of the population with aspirations to join the mainstream of the country and share the growth story of urban India in the ICT sector.

Mr Raja said the goverment has also taken steps to create an environment for innovation through establishment of seven telecom Centres of Excellence in premiere technological institutes of the country in Public Private Partnership(PPP) mode taking all stakeholders on board.

UNI