The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) celebrated its 29th Foundation Day on 20th February 2026, bringing together senior government officials, industry leaders, academia, and technology experts. The event focused on high-level deliberations about inclusive television access and emerging telecom technologies, including network slicing, to shape India’s digital communications landscape.
The celebrations commenced with the ceremonial lighting of the lamp by Anil Kumar Lahoti, Chairperson, TRAI, in the presence of Members Ritu Ranjan Mittar, Dr. M.P. Tangirala, and Prof. Ranjan Bose.
In his address, Atul Kumar Chaudhary, Secretary, TRAI, reflected on the Authority’s establishment in 1997 and highlighted the importance of an independent regulator in ensuring fair competition, orderly growth, and consumer protection. He emphasized universal access to broadcasting, particularly in rural and semi-urban regions, and stressed the significance of net neutrality and adapting regulatory frameworks to technological advancements like network slicing.
Ritu Ranjan Mittar highlighted the role of market-based regulation, transparency, and innovation in sustaining competition and affordability. Dr. M.P. Tangirala emphasized that regulations must evolve alongside AI-enabled networks, next-generation infrastructure, and advanced spectrum utilization. Prof. Ranjan Bose pointed to the value of collaboration between academia, industry, and regulators in fostering innovation. Neelkanth Mishra underscored the macroeconomic importance of digital infrastructure and the need for regulatory foresight in emerging technologies.
Anil Kumar Lahoti reiterated TRAI’s commitment to fair, accountable, and adaptive regulation as India moves toward AI, 5G, and future 6G networks. A video message from Jyotiraditya M. Scindia, Minister of Communications, praised TRAI for promoting fairness, transparency, and inclusive growth across India’s communications ecosystem.
The Foundation Day featured two technical sessions. The first, “Taking TV to All Homes – Policy, Technology, and Business Strategies for Inclusion”, moderated by Ashok Kumar Jha, explored strategies to expand television access in rural and underserved areas while maintaining affordability and service quality. The second, “Network Slicing and Net Neutrality”, moderated by Akhilesh Trivedi, focused on equitable access in advanced networks, balancing innovation with consumer rights, and promoting an open internet.
The event concluded by reaffirming TRAI’s ongoing commitment to inclusive growth, fair competition, consumer protection, and the development of future-ready telecom and broadcasting services in India.
Nurturing Creativity – Keekli Charitable Trust, Shimla
