CMAI celebrates 500 million telecom subscribers in India

NEW DELHI, INDIA: The CMAI Association of India, the only Integrated Association in India for telecom and IT Sector having all stake holders as its members, felicitated Thiru A. Raja, Hon’ble Minister for Communications and IT, on behalf of entire telecom fraternity, on the landmark achievement of reaching 500 million subscribers milestone.

The felicitation on behalf of CMAI Association of India, was done by Venugopal Dhoot, Chairman; Ravi Sharma, Executive Chairman and NK Goyal, President, CMAI Association of India. Also present on the occasion were PJ Thomas, Secretary, DOT and Dr. JS Sharma, Chairman, TRAI.

Delivering the welcome speech, Venugopal Dhoot, Chairman, CMAI Association of India, said: “On behalf of CMAI and the entire telecom fraternity, 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 the same is playing a pivotal role in redefining the socio-eco fabric of the country.”

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

In his keynote address, Ravi Sharma, Executive Chairman, CMAI Association of India, said: “First my congratulations to the minister on the historic achievement. This historic achievement also brings with it some equally great challenges, which I would adjure the Hon’ble minister to look at. 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.

"I would also request the minister keeping in view the larger interest of consumers, to implement a Zero mobile termination charge regime, the benefit of which is passed on to the consumers. I am positive that under the able guidance of the minister, India will reach many more milestones in the telecom space.”

Hon’ble Minister for Communications and IT, Thiru A. Raja, said: “I am very happy to note that CMAI, an integrated Association for IT & telecom, is taking active interest in overall development of telecom and IT sector. It is a matter of pleasure that CMAI is also engaged actively in advocating the interest of consumers. I wish them all the success in their endeavor of serving the cause of providing quality yet affordable products and services to the consumers.”

NK Goyal, President, CMAI Association of India, making the vote of thanks, said: “I thank the Hon’ble minister and all the dignitaries for their presence. And I assure all the telecom stakeholders that they have unflinching support of CMAI Association of India, in promoting the unparalleled growth story of India telecom and taking it to the next level, especially, rural India.”

To further consumer interest, CMAI Association of India has recently set up a body to pursue the formation of Mobile Consumer Courts to address consumer grievances, and Hon’ble Minister of Law and Justice, Veerappa Moily, has agreed to consider the demand of creation of such consumer courts.

CMAI Association of India is working closely with Ministry of Law and Justice and other bodies for the formulation and creation of consumer friendly policies and institutions, keeping in view the burgeoning mobile subscriber base.