(23 November 2006 6:50 pm)

MUMBAI: Stressing that regulation must be ahead of technology the way it is the world over, and not behind it as is the case in India at present while addressing the CII Telecom and Broadband Summit 2006, Motorola India Chairman Firdose Vandrevala also highlighted key consumer trends one could expect in future.

Between 2006 and 2050, countries like India, Pakistan, Nigeria , Congo, Bangladesh, Uganda , China will take over half of the earth and other countries like Italy and Japan will shrink in size. This will lead to a change in the market scenario; from the closed, traditional market, it will become more open and combined, asserts an official release.

Vandrevala added, "The middle class will grow, resulting in an increase in the percentage of people living in cities. Those living in cites, will shift to mega-cities. Consumerism will increase and the market demand will shift from necessities to luxury and lifestyle products. People will prefer to buy products that save labour and time, be it mobile phones or cars. This will lead to greater mobility and a consumeristic lifestyle, leading to a more informed and influenced brand purchaser."

Delivering the Summit theme address Hutchison Essar Ltd chairman CII National Steering Committee on Telecom and managing director Asim Ghosh stressed, that eliminating regulatory roadblocks is essential to drive growth in the telecom sector. He pointed out that in spite being a late starter; India is now overtaking China in terms of telecom sector growth and speedier policy decision making would definitely help the telecom industry in moving forward at a faster pace.

Players from the telecom and broadband industry including Aircel, Bharati Airtel, BSNL, D-Link (India), Midas Communication Technologies, Motorola, MTNL, Proxim Wireless, SIFY, Tata Sky, and Wipro are participating in the two-day Expo, adds the release.