Category technology

Finance teams have spent years implementing and customizing ERPs, which carry career risk if they fail, yet still require sizable internal and outsourced teams to conduct manual, repetitive work across disconnected systems. Zalos is changing that by using Computer Agents that log into systems and automate end-to-end workflows, without CFOs needing to replace the systems that they have built their operations around.

San Francisco, California – Mar 25; Modern finance teams run on a fragmented stack of ERPs, CRMs, spreadsheets, email, and banking platforms that were never designed to talk to each other. APIs between these systems are often missing or incomplete, which means finance teams become the human API themselves, manually stitching data across systems to complete billing cycles, close the books, and produce reporting their business depends on. Zalos was built on the belief that the next leap in productivity will not come from replacing that stack, but from agentic software that can operate it the same way humans do and understands the deep business context. 

Today Zalos, the leader in Computer Agents for Finance Operations, announced a $3.6 million seed round to realize this vision. The funding round was led by 14 Peaks with participation from Cohen Circle, 20VC and notable angels.

Computer Agents are the defining AI technology for 2026. 2023 was generative AI, 2024 brought multi-modal, and in 2025, AI learnt reasoning. Now AI will take over our computers. OpenAI and Anthropic have both moved into the space with generalist Computer Agents, but Zalos is purpose-built for finance operations, where the stakes of getting it wrong are categorically higher. Finance teams cannot operate on 90% accuracy, the agents need finance specific skills, and they need every automated action logged in a format auditors can follow. The Computer Agent market is still in its early stages; comparable to where large language models were at GPT 3.5. Zalos’s purpose-built infrastructure and evaluation systems are designed to push reliability to the accuracy levels that CFOs need to automate finance operations at scale.

“Finance teams have the systems, but they are still doing the work manually because the stack is not connected,” said William Fairbairn, CEO and co-founder of Zalos. “We built Zalos on the belief that CFOs should not need to rip out their existing stack to adopt the latest in AI, we want to start by sitting on top of what is already there. Computer Agents that can log in and run the workflow end to end are the fastest path to real transformation in finance operations.”

Zalos converts screen recordings of finance workflows into Computer Agents that log in, navigate screens, enter data, and check against controls across ERPs, Excel, email, and internal tools. The platform works inside NetSuite, Sage, and SAP S/4HANA today, with no heavy integrations required. Every agent action is captured in an auditable log, and the platform is built to enterprise security standards including SOC 2 Part II certification, enterprise single sign-on, role-based access controls, and on-premise deployment options. Use cases being most actively used by clients include billing automation across multiple systems, month-end reconciliations, and cross-system KPI reporting across multiple ERP instances.

The company was founded by CEO William Fairbairn and CTO Hung Hoang after intersecting paths led them to the same conclusion. Fairbairn spent years at Agicap speaking with hundreds of CFOs, and heard the same frustration consistently: ERP implementations take more than twelve months, deliver limited upside when they go well, and carry real career risk when they go wrong. Hoang left Apple Pay after five years and became focused on Computer Agents specifically because they avoid the API problem that has stalled so many automation efforts in finance. The two began building Zalos last October after joining Y Combinator, with a focus on specialized agents that emulate how finance teams actually operate inside their tools.

Hung Hoang, CTO and co-founder of Zalos added “The opportunity Zalos is addressing reflects a structural reality in enterprise finance. Legacy ERPs’ speed of innovation has stalled, leading to growing manual work in the place of transformative automation. AI-native ERPs may offer a credible alternative for companies that have not yet committed to a system. But for the majority of midmarket and enterprise finance teams, replacing an embedded ERP is not an attractive option; years of processes have been built around it, and too many painful system implementations remain fresh in memory.

The rise of reliable Computer Agents creates a third path: automation that sits on top of the existing stack and operates it as a human would. These agents are trained once with screen recordings, then the process is automated forever, never taking a holiday, and at a speed and consistency a person cannot match.”

Emanuele Larocca, Principal at 14 Peaks: “Finance operations is one of the last areas where the complexity and embeddedness of the underlying systems have made it genuinely hard for CFOs to unlock the ROI promised by AI. What Zalos has built sidesteps that problem entirely. By operating the systems as a human would, training agents with screen recordings, they deliver the true power of finance transformation without losing any domain expertise or asking CFOs to rip out systems they have spent years configuring.”

Nate Pontician, Vice President at Cohen Circle: “Zalos is redefining what software means for the CFOs. Zalos’ computer agents don’t just assist; they log in, navigate systems, and complete workflows end-to-end. They’re giving finance professionals back hours lost to repetitive tasks so they can focus on what actually moves the business forward. It’s not a copilot… it’s a colleague.”

Looking ahead, Zalos plans to expand beyond the major midmarket ERPs where it already has customers and into enterprise ERPs and on-premise systems. By building a wide-reaching context graph across the finance stack, the company aims to help CFOs deploy a swarm of agents and drive a step-change in their finance team’s impact.

Notable angels included: Mike Lenz (CFO Fedex), Ian Sutherland (CFO Tide), Long Dinh (CFO Ada), Nancy Casey (Global Vice President, Oracle, SAP), Paul Forster (Founder, Indeed), Henri Stern (Founder, Privacy), Ed Woodford (Founder, zerohash), James Beshara (Founder, Tilt Payments), Long Lu (Founder, Misa Accounting), Catherine Dahl (Founder, Beanworks Accounts Payable), Pablo Palafox (Founder, Happy Robot), Hasan Sukkar (Founder, 11x), Chris Smoak (Founder, Atrium), Ooshma Garg (Gobble), Minh Pham (Head of Browser Infra, Perplexity), Jon Langbert (Founder, Alight), Mandeep Singh (Founder, Trouva), Thai Duong (Founder, Calif), Ash Rush (Founder, Sterling Road), Jake Klamka (Founder Insight Data Science), Jonathan Meeks (Board, TA Associates).

New Delhi, Mar 25 (BNP): The government has launched a series of initiatives to promote the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in cancer screening, diagnostics, and care under the India AI Mission, Parliament was informed on Tuesday.

A key initiative, the Cancer AI & Technology Challenge (CATCH) grant programme, has been launched in partnership with the National Cancer Grid to support development and validation of AI-based solutions across the cancer care continuum.

Under the programme, selected projects are eligible for pilot funding of up to ₹50 lakh, with additional support of up to ₹1 crore for scale-up based on clinical readiness.

The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has also introduced the ‘Strategy for AI in Healthcare in India’ (SAHI), a framework to ensure safe, ethical, and evidence-based adoption of AI, along with the ‘Benchmarking Open Data Platform for Health AI’ (BODH) for testing and validating AI solutions before large-scale deployment.

Officials said digital health infrastructure is being strengthened to support AI integration. The Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM) provides a sandbox environment and integration toolkits for developers to deploy AI-based applications, including screening tools.

In addition, the National NCD Portal under the National Programme for Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases enables digital screening, referrals, and continuity of care for cancers such as breast, cervical, and oral, with integration of Ayushman Bharat Health Account (ABHA) IDs.

The government said funding under the programme has increased steadily, with approvals rising from ₹60,659 lakh in 2021–22 to ₹1,30,288 lakh in 2025–26.

The information was provided by Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare Prataprao Jadhav in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha.

AUSTIN, TX – MARCH 24, 2026 – Testlio, a leading AI-powered crowdsourced testing platform, today announced its participation in ShopTalk 2026, where the company will demonstrate how its end-to-end testing solutions empower retailers and ecommerce brands to deliver flawless digital experiences at scale. 

With $67 billion in Cyber Week 2025 sales and one in five digital purchases now flowing through an AI agent, the stakes for seamless ecommerce and payment experiences have never been higher. Meanwhile, 67% of consumers are willing to try new products but only when brands deliver consistent omnichannel experiences. 

“As digital commerce continues to evolve, consumers increasingly expect error-free interactions whether they’re shopping on mobile, completing a payment, or navigating a chatbot,” said Dean Hickman-Smith, CRO, Testlio. “Those experiences are what Testlio delivers every day for the world’s leading retailers and digital commerce brands.” 

What Testlio Will Showcase at ShopTalk

Attendees visiting Testlio at ShopTalk will get a firsthand look at testing services purposefully built for the complexity of modern commerce. Those that combine the precision of global expert testers with the speed and intelligence of AI. 

Key capabilities on display include:

• Payment Testing across 800+ payment methods, ensuring transactions complete without friction regardless of geography or platform.

• AI-Driven Testing that surfaces real-time insights, accelerates ramp time, and reduces manual overhead across the entire release cycle.

• Localization & Location Testing spanning 150+ countries and 100+ languages to validate that every market receives a consistent, high-quality experience.

• Mobile App Testing across 600K+ real devices to catch defects before they reach real customers.

• Functional & Usability Testing that goes beyond bug detection to assess holistic product quality from the end user’s perspective.

The Testlio Difference

Traditional crowdtesting can feel fragmented. Too many testers, not enough ownership, and results that are hard to trust. Testlio takes a fundamentally different approach by bringing structure, accountability, and scale to retail and payments testing.

Testlio delivers:

• Global vetted experts, intentionally matched to your domain and product.

• Fully managed end-to-end test execution to minimize overhead for internal teams.

• Parallel testing across time zones enables faster release cycles and tighter launch windows.

• On-demand, scalable in-market testing that flexes to your roadmap and business needs.

• Dedicated client teams that strengthen releases through strategic oversight and accountability.

All of this is powered by Testlio’s proprietary AI engine, known as LeoAI Engine™, that is built and trained on more than 13 years of testing data.

Trusted by the World’s Leading Retail and Commerce Brands

Testlio’s clients represent some of the most recognizable names in retail, ecommerce, and digital payments, including Away, eBay, Etsy, PayPal, Thrive Market, Wayfair, and Whatnot; all of whom rely on Testlio to ship with confidence.

Meet Testlio at ShopTalk 2026

Testlio representatives will be available at booth 4358 during ShopTalk 2026 to discuss how organizations can achieve holistic quality across ecommerce, payments, and digital banking. 

Mar 24: Family offices are increasingly using AI and technology to boost operations and data use but are avoiding investing in the sector, new research* from Ocorian, the specialist global provider of services to high-net-worth individuals and family offices, financial institutions, asset managers and corporates, shows.

The global study among family members and senior executives working for family offices with total wealth of $119.37 billion found 86% are using AI technology to improve their operations and data insights.

However just 7% questioned in the study in 16 countries or territories including the UK, US, UAE, Singapore, Switzerland, Hong Kong, South Africa, Saudi Arabia, Mauritius and Bahrain are currently seeking investment opportunities in the sector.

That is likely to change rapidly over the next three years with nearly three out of four (74%) expecting to increase investment in AI and other digital assets, including 20% planning to dramatically increase investment in the sector.

Around a quarter (26%) strongly agree that AI will reshape how family offices are run and will boost performance, value and growth in the next year.

However, 72% believe the major impact of AI on how family offices are run will not be felt for between two to five years.

 Michael Harman, Commercial Director UK & Channel Islands at Ocorian said: “Family offices are gradually adopting AI and technology as part of their operations and are particularly using it for data insights.

“However, adoption of AI is still in its early stages across the sector, and most are not currently investing. There is a realisation that it will have a major impact and family offices need to start exploring the sector and will need support in making the transition. In the meantime, we are working with our family office clients – including those who may choose not to adopt AI directly – so they can still get the outcomes they want, without having to take on the implementation and associated risks themselves, as we take significant steps towards adopting AI as a service provider.”

Ocorian’s award winning dedicated family office team provides a seamless and holistic approach to the challenges and opportunities families face. Its service is built on long-term personal relationships that are founded on a deep understanding of what matters to family office clients. Its global presence means Ocorian can provide bespoke structures and services for international families no matter where they live.

 Key services include formation and administration of family offices, HR support services, support with lifestyle and luxury assets, family governance, resident and relocation services and specialist support with immigration, visas, payroll, marine and aircraft crew management and financial reporting.

Digital marketing in 2026 is evolving into a highly intelligent and experience-driven ecosystem. With the rapid rise of artificial intelligence and immersive technologies like augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR), brands are now able to connect with consumers in more meaningful, precise, and personalized ways.

What was once broad and repetitive advertising has now transformed into data-driven, real-time, hyper-targeted communication that adapts to individual behavior and preferences.

AI at the Core of Modern Marketing

Artificial intelligence has become the central engine of today’s marketing systems. Instead of relying on general audience categories, AI tools now analyze individual user patterns—what people search, click, watch, and buy—to understand intent more deeply.

This allows businesses to deliver highly relevant content such as:

• Personalized product recommendations
• Tailored advertisements based on real-time behavior
• Smart prediction of customer needs
• Automated campaign optimization for better performance

In simple terms, marketing is becoming less about guessing what people want and more about understanding it before they even ask.

Generative AI: Speeding Up Creativity

Generative AI has changed how marketing content is created. Businesses can now produce written content, visuals, videos, and advertisements in a fraction of the time it once took.

This technology helps teams to:

• Quickly generate multiple creative ideas
• Personalize messages for different audiences
• Test and refine campaigns faster
• Reduce production costs significantly

Rather than replacing creativity, generative AI is helping marketers focus more on storytelling, strategy, and emotional connection with audiences.

Immersive Experiences: AR and VR in Marketing

Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality are bringing a new dimension to digital engagement. Instead of simply viewing ads, customers can now interact with products in a virtual environment.

For example:

• Trying furniture in a virtual room before buying
• Exploring digital showrooms from home
• Participating in interactive brand experiences
• Viewing products in real-world settings through AR apps

These immersive tools make marketing more engaging and help customers make more confident decisions.

Business Impact: Efficiency, Reach, and Growth

The combined power of AI and immersive technology is delivering strong business outcomes across industries.

1. Greater Efficiency

Marketing processes are faster and more automated. Campaign creation, audience targeting, and performance tracking now require less manual effort, allowing teams to focus on strategy and innovation.

2. Wider Reach with Precision

Brands can now reach global audiences while still delivering highly personalized messages. This balance of scale and precision was not possible in traditional marketing systems.

3. Stronger Business Growth

Better targeting and improved customer engagement are leading to higher conversion rates, improved customer loyalty, and stronger returns on marketing investment.

Even small businesses are benefiting, as advanced tools are now more affordable and accessible than ever before.

A More Responsible Digital Future

While the opportunities are significant, experts also stress the importance of responsible usage. Concerns around data privacy, ethical AI use, and over-automation are becoming more important in marketing discussions.

Balancing innovation with trust and transparency will be essential for long-term success.

Conclusion: Marketing Becomes Smarter and More Human

Despite being driven by advanced technology, the future of digital marketing is becoming more human in its impact. AI and immersive tools are not just improving efficiency—they are helping brands understand people better and create more meaningful experiences.

In 2026, successful marketing is no longer about reaching everyone. It is about reaching the right person, at the right time, with the right message—powered by intelligence, creativity, and empathy.

New premium docking station delivers 8K DisplayPort, 4K HDMI, 40Gbps Thunderbolt 4 and up to 60W laptop charging engineered for professionals who demand more from their desk setup

SYDNEY, 24 March 2026 – D-Link Australia and New Zealand today announced the launch of the DUF-E01, a 14-in-1 Thunderbolt 4 Docking Station designed to transform any Thunderbolt 4-equipped laptop into a fully featured workstation. Combining ultra-fast data transfer, multi-display output, gigabit networking, and high-wattage laptop charging into a single aluminium device, the DUF-E01 is built for professionals, content creators and power users who need uncompromising performance at their desk.

Modern professionals increasingly rely on multiple displays, high-speed peripherals, and stable network connections to do their best work. Yet the move toward thinner, port-limited laptops has left many users juggling cables and adapters. The DUF-E01 solves this with a single Thunderbolt 4 connection that instantly expands a compatible laptop to 14 ports, with no drivers required on most modern operating systems.

“The DUF-E01 is designed for people who use their laptop as a primary computer and need it to punch well above its weight the moment it hits the desk,” said Graeme Reardon, Managing Director of D-Link Australia and New Zealand. “One cable in, and you have 14 ports, three screens, gigabit networking and your laptop is charging. That’s the kind of seamless experience professionals expect from a premium docking station.”

Key Features at a Glance

• Ultra-Fast Thunderbolt 4 Connectivity: Up to 40Gbps data transfer via a single TB4 port.
• Triple Display Support: Drive three screens simultaneously via HDMI 2.1 (4K), DisplayPort 1.4 (8K) and Thunderbolt 4.
• Up to 60W Laptop Charging: Power Delivery through the TB4 port keeps your laptop charged while you work.
• Gigabit Ethernet: Dedicated RJ-45 port for fast, stable wired network access.
• SD and MicroSD Card Slots: SD 4.0 standard, supporting cards up to 2TB each.
• Centralised Port Control: One power button switches all ports on or off simultaneously.
• Integrated 3.5mm Combo Audio: Single jack for headphone output and microphone input.
• Premium Aluminium Construction: Detachable magnetic base and aluminium alloy casing for superior heat management.

Feature Details

Thunderbolt 4: The Backbone of the DUF-E01

The DUF-E01 is built around a single Thunderbolt 4 upstream port that handles data, video, power and device communication simultaneously at up to 40Gbps. That bandwidth is four times faster than USB 3.2 Gen 2, giving professionals the headroom needed for NVMe drives, video capture cards and high-speed audio interfaces without bottlenecks under load. The TB4 port also supports daisy-chaining of additional Thunderbolt devices. 

Triple Display Support: A Bigger Canvas for Your Work

The DUF-E01 drives up to three independent screens at once. DisplayPort 1.4 supports up to 8K at 30Hz or 4K at 120Hz, suited to high-resolution creative work. HDMI 2.1 delivers 4K at 60Hz for mainstream professional monitors, and the Thunderbolt 4 port adds a third video output. Users can configure any combination of extended or mirrored modes across all three displays.

60W Power Delivery: One Less Cable on Your Desk

The DUF-E01 delivers up to 60W of Power Delivery through the Thunderbolt 4 upstream port, covering most business ultrabooks and consumer laptops at full charge speed while in use. One cable provides displays, peripherals, network, audio and charging simultaneously, making docking and undocking as simple as connecting or removing a single cable. 

Gigabit Ethernet: Wired Reliability in a Wireless World

The dedicated RJ-45 Gigabit Ethernet port delivers up to 1,000Mbps on compatible networks, offering the consistent latency and predictable bandwidth that Wi-Fi cannot always guarantee in busy offices or shared workspaces. For professionals on regular video calls or working with large files, a stable wired connection removes a common source of unpredictable performance. 

Dual Card Slots: Instant Access for Creators

Both the full-size SD and microSD slots operate at SD 4.0 specification, with transfer speeds up to 985MB/s and support for cards up to 2TB. Photographers and videographers get direct, high-speed access to card media without a separate reader, handling high-bitrate video files and large RAW image sets quickly and conveniently.

Build Quality and Thermal Management

The aluminium alloy casing acts as a passive heatsink, drawing heat away from internal components during sustained workloads without requiring fans. The detachable base allows the dock to sit flat or stand vertically to suit any desk setup, and the premium construction is designed for years of daily professional use.

Compatibility and Requirements

The DUF-E01 requires a host device with a Thunderbolt 4 port. While the USB-C connector is physically compatible with many devices, full functionality including multi-display output, 40Gbps transfer speeds and Power Delivery requires Thunderbolt 4 certification. Compatible with macOS and Windows operating systems that support Thunderbolt 4.

Availability

The DUF-E01 14-in-1 Thunderbolt 4 Docking Station with 8K Display Port and 4K HDMI port is available now from www.dlink.com.au, www.dlink.co.nz and all authorised D-Link resellers and partners in Australia and New Zealand for AU$599.95 (RRP) and NZ$699.99 (RRP).

Mar 21 : Kärcher India, a global leader in cleaning technology, participated in the Surat International Auto Expo 2026, held from 13–16 March 2026 at the Surat International Exhibition and Convention Centre (SIECC). The expo brought together key stakeholders from the automotive industry, including manufacturers, dealers, service professionals, and automotive enthusiasts, providing a platform to explore the latest technologies and solutions in the automotive sector.

At its stall, Kärcher India demonstrated a range of professional automotive and workshop cleaning solutions designed to support efficient cleaning, maintenance, and detailing operations across service centres and automotive workshops. The company highlighted the performance and versatility of its professional cleaning equipment through product displays and live demonstrations.

The showcase featured high-pressure cleaners such as HD 6/15-4 M Classic, HD 7/16-4 Cage, HD 9/20-4 Classic, and HD 5/13 Classic, along with wet and dry vacuum cleaners including NT 30/1 Me Classic, NT 65/2 Ap, and NT 70/2 Me Classic. Kärcher also presented specialised solutions such as the Puzzi 10/1 with a hand tool for upholstery and interior cleaning, the SG 4/4 steam cleaner for hygienic deep cleaning, the BD 43/40 C Ep scrubber dryer for floor care, and the IVR 100/22 SC industrial vacuum for heavy-duty industrial cleaning applications.

Along with its professional range, Kärcher India also showcased its consumer cleaning solutions, including vacuum cleaners such as WD 1s Classic, WD 3 V-17/4/20, WD 5 S V-25/5/22, and WD 6 P S V-30/6/22; pressure washers such as K 1 Upright, K 2 Premium, K 3 Plus HR, K 4 WCM Premium, and K 7 WCM; the SC 2 EasyFix steam cleaner; the WV 1 Plus window vacuum; and the RCV 5 robotic cleaner, highlighting its end-to-end offerings for both professional and home users.

Mr Malay Joshi, Regional Head, said “The automotive service industry today requires reliable and efficient cleaning solutions that support faster turnaround times and high standards of maintenance. At the Surat International Auto Expo 2026, we showcased Kärcher’s professional cleaning technologies designed specifically for automotive workshops and detailing facilities, demonstrating how our solutions help businesses improve productivity while ensuring superior cleaning performance.”

New Delhi, March 21 (BNP): The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) will roll out an AI-powered dashcam monitoring system across nearly 40,000 km of the National Highway network to enhance operations, maintenance, and road safety.

The initiative will use advanced Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) technologies to enable data-driven monitoring of highways and expressways. Specialised dashboard cameras will be installed on Route Patrol Vehicles (RPVs), which will conduct weekly surveys across highway stretches.

Officials said the system will use high-resolution imagery and video data to automatically detect over 30 types of road defects and anomalies. These include pavement-related issues such as potholes, rutting, and cracks, as well as problems with road infrastructure like damaged lane markings, faulty crash barriers, and non-functional streetlights.

The system will also monitor safety concerns and encroachments, including illegal median openings, unauthorised signboards, and improper parking along highways. Night-time surveys will be conducted periodically to assess visibility of road signs, pavement markings, lighting, and reflectors.

In addition, the AI-based solution will track issues such as waterlogging, vegetation growth, and drainage problems, enabling timely intervention and maintenance.

To streamline monitoring, NHAI has divided the network into five zones and will deploy a dedicated IT platform with analytics dashboards and data visualisation tools. The platform will allow comparison of road conditions over time and integrate findings into the central data system for efficient decision-making.

Officials said the move marks a major step towards technology-driven highway management, aimed at improving maintenance efficiency, enhancing road safety, and providing a better travel experience for users across the country.

New Delhi, March 21 (BNP): Secretary, Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, S. Krishnan on Saturday inaugurated a state-of-the-art digital recording studio at the National Institute of Electronics and Information Technology (NIELIT) Bhawan in New Delhi, aimed at strengthening high-quality digital learning content creation in the country.

The facility has been set up under MeitY’s EdTech initiative and is expected to enhance technology-enabled learning while serving as a key content development hub for the upcoming NIELIT Digital University platform.

Speaking at the event, Krishnan highlighted NIELIT’s role in expanding access to digital skilling, particularly in remote and underserved regions, including the North Eastern states and Union Territories such as Jammu and Kashmir. He noted that NIELIT-trained candidates are increasingly contributing to governance systems, citing their presence in state secretariats.

M. M. Tripathi, Director General of NIELIT, said the new studio will significantly strengthen the institute’s in-house content creation capabilities and support large-scale skilling initiatives across India.

On the occasion, NIELIT also signed 12 Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with leading organisations to promote industry-aligned training and innovation. These include Chanakya University, National Institute of Open Schooling, Cyber Security Association of India, Jindal Steel, Rashtriya Raksha University, and Jaypee Institute of Information Technology, among others.

Officials said these collaborations will focus on strengthening digital skilling, advancing curriculum development in emerging technologies, promoting research and innovation, and enhancing employability through internships and capacity-building initiatives.

The initiative is expected to further strengthen India’s digital ecosystem by aligning skilling programmes with industry requirements and expanding access to quality learning resources nationwide.

New Delhi, March 21 (BNP): Minister of State for Communications Pemmasani Chandra Sekhar on Saturday highlighted India’s rapid expansion in 5G services and outlined an ambitious roadmap to emerge as a global leader in 6G technologies.

Addressing the ET Telecom 5G Summit in New Delhi, the Minister said India is expected to reach nearly one billion 5G users by 2031, underscoring the transformative potential of next-generation connectivity in driving economic growth and digital inclusion.

He attributed the sector’s rapid progress to a series of structural reforms, including the redefinition of Adjusted Gross Revenue (AGR), removal of Spectrum Usage Charges (SUC), and rationalisation of bank guarantees, which have improved the financial health of telecom operators and encouraged large-scale investments in network infrastructure.

The Minister also pointed to key policy measures such as streamlined Right of Way (RoW) approvals, improved spectrum management, protection of telecom infrastructure, and simplified licensing processes, all of which have accelerated the rollout of telecom networks across the country.

Emphasising governance reforms, Dr. Pemmasani noted a shift within the Department of Telecommunications towards an outcome-oriented approach, drawing on private sector efficiency. He said the focus is now on speed, accountability, and execution, supported by real-time monitoring and close coordination with stakeholders including service providers, startups, vendors, and state governments.

On rural connectivity, he said nearly 35,000 remote villages are being connected through 4G infrastructure, with Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited playing a key role in improving network uptime and strengthening infrastructure in underserved regions.

Highlighting progress under BharatNet, the Minister said the government is investing around USD 17 billion to connect 2.6 lakh Gram Panchayats with high-speed broadband, laying a strong digital foundation for future technologies.

Looking ahead, Dr. Pemmasani said India aims to secure about 10 per cent of global 6G patents and contribute actively to international standard-setting bodies such as 3GPP. He stressed that early participation in global standards is crucial for technological leadership and economic competitiveness.

Citing examples from countries like South Korea, he said early engagement in telecom standards helped companies such as Samsung and LG become global leaders, adding that India aims to replicate similar success.

The Minister also reaffirmed the government’s commitment to fostering innovation through a startup-friendly ecosystem, simplified regulations, and faster certification processes. He noted ongoing efforts to enhance service quality, strengthen telecom security frameworks, and promote indigenous technology development.

Concluding his address, Dr. Pemmasani said India has transitioned from being a telecom market to a global technology creator, driven by collaboration between policymakers, industry, and innovators.