India Nominates M. Revathi for Director of the Telecommunication Standardisation Bureau

India has officially put forward M. Revathi, currently the Joint Wireless Adviser at the Department of Telecommunications’ Wireless Planning and Coordination (WPC) division, for the role of Director at the Telecommunication Standardisation Bureau (TSB) within the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) for the term spanning 2027 to 2030.

Experience in Telecommunications and Space Technology

Revathi is a seasoned professional in the fields of telecommunications and space technology. She is among various international candidates—from nations including France, Japan, and Germany—revealed during the World Telecommunication Development Conference 2025 (WTDC-25) held in Baku, Azerbaijan. The position she seeks is pivotal in determining international telecommunications regulations and standards, particularly during a phase when global digital infrastructure is rapidly evolving.

Competition in Satellite Communications

The nomination arrives at a time of growing rivalry within commercial satellite communications. With advancements from Starlink, Amazon’s Project Kuiper, and other private service providers pushing forward with new deployments, experts express concerns that access to orbital space—legally regarded as a collective global asset under the Outer Space Treaty of 1967—is becoming limited and increasingly controlled by companies from developed nations. This situation could potentially exacerbate the digital divide and restrict equitable access for emerging economies.

Emphasising the Voice of the Global South

During the opening High-Level Segment on the first day of WTDC-25, Minister of State for Communications, C.S. Pemmasani, characterised India’s nomination as part of a strategic initiative to elevate the voice of the Global South. He highlighted India’s role as a connector between developed and developing countries, underlining the importance of equitable technology access and the establishment of solid frameworks for technology transfer that would benefit low- and middle-income nations.

Outstanding Appointment Process

The election cycle within the ITU is currently in progress, with the final voting set to take place at the ITU Plenipotentiary Conference (PP-26) in Doha, Qatar, scheduled for November 2026. The results will play a crucial role in shaping global digital governance and will impact how countries manage their digital sovereignty in the forthcoming years.