(a) whether the Government proposes to allow/invite the multi-national companies to provide mobile network and Internet services;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether the Government has assessed its impact;
(d) if so, the details thereof; and
(e) the likely benefit of such move to the Government as well as the telecom subscribers?
THE MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (SHRI RAVI SHANKAR PRASAD)
(a) & (b) Government has permitted Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) upto 100% in Telecom Sector. According to the consolidated FDI Policy, 2014, FDI up to 49% is permitted through automatic route and beyond 49% through Government route.
(c) to (e) It was decided by the Government that for reasons of security and sensitivity, sectors including telecom services will continue to be on the Government route beyond 49% FDI i.e. when the entity ceases to be under Indian ownership and control.
FDI in telecom sector is expected to attract and promote foreign direct investment in order to supplement domestic capital, technology and skills, for accelerated economic growth.