As India prepares to host the World Telecommunication Standardization Assembly (WTSA2024), the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has initiated the WTSA2024 Outreach Sessions. These sessions, scheduled in Delhi, Hyderabad, and Bengaluru, aim to create a unique platform for students to learn and engage directly with industry experts, facilitating meaningful interactions and knowledge exchange. This marks the first time in the International Telecommunication Union’s (ITU) 150-year history that WTSA will be held in India, taking place from October 14 to 24, 2024. The assembly will attract global leaders and telecom experts from over 190 countries.
Outreach sessions were recently conducted at Delhi Technical University, the Indian Institute of Science in Bangalore, and the Indian Institute of Information Technology in Hyderabad. Dignitaries from the ITU, National Communication Academy, Telecom Engineering Centre, and senior academics engaged with students, discussing the significance of WTSA, the ITU, and the essential role of telecom standards in enhancing global connectivity and innovation. The discussions highlighted how standardization supports the deployment of technologies such as 5G and the forthcoming 6G, ensuring interoperability and shaping the future of global telecommunications.
More than 500 students attended the sessions across the three institutions, with an additional 450 participants joining online. This event provided an opportunity for young individuals to understand the importance of telecom standards in positioning India as a leader in the telecom sector and explored ways they can contribute to the industry’s future.
Prominent figures, including Shri Deb Kumar Chakrabarti, Director General of the National Communication Academy; Shri R.R. Mittar, WTSA-24 Chair Designate; and various senior officers from the DoT shared insights with the attendees. In a media interaction, Shri Hemendra K Sharma, spokesperson for the DoT, emphasized that hosting WTSA-2024 presents an opportunity for India to influence the global telecom agenda, especially as advancements like 6G are on the horizon.
Following the outreach session, the DoT launched the 5G-6G Hackathon 2024, aimed at identifying and promoting innovations and applications tailored to India’s unique needs. This hackathon attracted participants from various sectors, including government, academia, and industry, focusing on developing India-specific use cases leveraging the capabilities of 5G, 6G, and associated technologies.
About WTSA 2024:
India is poised to make a significant impact in the telecommunications sector by hosting the World Telecommunication Standardization Assembly (WTSA) in New Delhi from October 15 to 24, 2024. This will be the first time such a critical ITU standards conference is held in Asia. Over 190 nations will converge to shape the future of global telecom standards, highlighting India’s rising influence in the telecom industry.
The WTSA is a quadrennial event that serves as the governing conference of the ITU’s Standardisation Sector (ITU-T). As one of three world conferences organized by the International Telecommunication Union, a UN agency, this event plays a crucial role in setting global telecommunication standards, making India’s hosting of WTSA a significant milestone.
About WTSA Side Events:
WTSA 2024 will feature several notable side events, including the ITU Kaleidoscope conference (October 21-23, 2024), ITU exhibitions (October 14-24, 2024), the Network of Women (October 17, 2024), and AI for Good (October 18, 2024). These initiatives aim to enrich discussions and promote inclusivity within the sector. For more details, visit www.delhiwtsa24.in.
