Question

Describe communication system in India

Answer 1

Communication System In India

The communication system of a country includes post and telegraph services, telecommunication systems, television and broadcasting, and also information services, etc. In this article, we will take a quick look at the different types of communication systems in India.

Types of Communication Systems in India:

The postal system started way back in 1854 with around 700 post offices and the creation of the Department of Posts. Currently, there are more than 1.5 lakh post offices across the country.

Also, India has the largest postal network in the world. In recent years, the Government has emphasized on the tribal, hilly, and rural areas, further expanding the reach of our postal network. Some initiatives of the postal department include:

A computerized services program of postal operations like mail processing, savings bank, and also material management.
Introduced Metro Channel Service which linked the six metro cities
Introduced the Rajdhani Channel which linked Delhi with most State capitals
Started a Business Channel for exclusive treatment to pin-coded business mail
A Hybrid Mail Service through electronic devices
Also, Satellite Money Order Services
Telecommunications

In 1851, telecommunication services were introduced in India and the first telegraph message was sent between Kolkata (erstwhile Calcutta) and Diamond Harbor.

In 1881-82, telephone services were launched too. Over the years, telecommunications services have undergone phenomenal growth and change.
Also, after 1995, post-liberalization of the telecoms operational system in India, the telecommunications sector experienced exponential growth.

The National Telecommunications Policy of 1994, divided the country into 20 circles for basic telephones and 18 circles for mobile-related services.

Further, it allowed two private service providers per circle for a 15-year license period. Additionally, the Government set up Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) for better control over tariffs and to help in policy-making and regulation of the sector.

The two important goals of the telecom sector are:

Provide a cost-efficient (low-cost) voice telephony to as many individuals as possible and
Provide a low-cost and high-speed computer networking service to as many businesses as possible
The Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Limited (MTNL) and the Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) are the two public sector telecom giants in India.

Radio and Television

Radio services in India are less than a century old. In fact, radio broadcasting started in 1927 and commercial broadcasting started in 1967. Television, on the other hand, started regularly from 1965. In 1976, it was delinked from the All India Radio (AIR) and Doordarshan was formed.

Currently, the television industry is a huge industry offering employment to thousands of Indians. It has also given rise to the Media and Entertainment Industry which is estimated at INR 1436 billion in the financial year 2017-18