Vi collaborates with ICRIER to establish a telecom policy research centre

Vodafone Idea (Vi) and the Indian Council for Research on International Economic Relations (ICRIER) inked a collaboration to establish the InViCT, a Telecom centre of excellence. According to a news statement issued on Monday, the centre of excellence (ICRIER and Vodafone Idea centre for Telecom), would facilitate research advisory and policy support the telecom sector as well as contribute towards Digital India Mission.

InViCT will operate as a self-contained research institute in alliance with, the private sector, academia and the government. As mentioned in the press release, its major research focus will be on the broader fields of policies, regulation, and practices connected to telecom and other related sectors, including ICT.

Dr Deepak Mishra, Director and CEO-ICRIER said: “The ICRIER and Vodafone Idea centre for Telecom (InViCT) marks ICRIER’s long term commitment to strengthen the analytical underpinnings of tlecom policy research in India. The centre is an infusion of the strong research capacity of ICRIER and the extensive public policy outreach of Vodafone Idea. We therefore expect the centre to emerge as a credible source of knowledge, policy ideas and technical support in the telecom space.”

ICRIER is an independent, policy-oriented, non-profit economic establishment, founded in August 1981. Its major goal is to improve policymakers’ knowledge content, through conducting analytical research aimed at making Indian policymakers aware and enhancing the nation’s interaction in the global economy. Whereas, Vodafone Idea Limited is a joint venture between the Aditya Birla Group and the Vodafone Group. It is one of the largest telecom service providers in India offering voice and data services across the country on 2G, 3G, 4G platforms as well as a 5G-ready network.

Regular workshops and round table meetings will be held by the InViCT, along with a place for stakeholders to put heads together on their ideas. The research centre is also expected to form partnerships, with well-known incubators to boost research.

According to P Balaji, Chief Regulatory and Corporate Affairs Officer, Vodafone Idea Limited:  “The telecom industry has been at the forefront of driving the digital revolution in India. With the formation of InViCT, in partnership with ICRIER, we will foster research and facilitate dialogue amongst all stakeholders on telecom stakeholders on telecom policy, governance and regulation, with a view to establish sustainable growth of the sector contributing to the achievement of the government’s Digital India mission.”

InViCT will be situated in New Delhi and will fall under the control and guidance of a board of directors, comprised of Vi and ICRIER nominees.  Leading officials from the Department of Telecom, the TRAI and the COAI will sit on the board.