Pawan Kumar Garg is the former Wireless Adviser to the Government of India, and former internationally elected Member of the Radio Regulations Board (RRB) of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), Geneva. The ITU is the UN organization for Information & Communication Technologies (ICTs) and the specialized Board consists of 12 globally elected members. The RRB, which is a specialized Board of ITU, resolves various issues concerning implementation of ITU Radio Regulations, which is an international ‘Treaty’ for planning and use of Radio Frequency spectrum & satellites globally; as well as resolution of disputes, if any, among countries regarding use of RF spectrum or wireless interference at international level. Mr. Garg has served the Ministry of Communications for 38 years and the ITU (UN Body) for 8 years as Member, RRB.

Mr. Garg has been associated with ICTs (Information & Communication Technologies) at national and international levels right from 1970 itself. He has taken up every assignment and its challenges willingly and positively. In this process, he got a chance to work with the then latest technologies – first in international satellite communications at the Overseas Communication Service (OCS), Arvi, near Pune, during early 1971 and subsequently with further developments in technologies of terrestrial cellular wireless and satellite communications. Through Indian Government UPSC (Union Public Service Commission) Examination for Engg. Services, he joined the specialized Wing of the Ministry of Communications dealing with the regulation and management of the scarce natural resource of Radio Frequency (RF) Spectrum, which is crucial for modern communications and all wireless users, including strategic users, and its regulation has international connotations.

Through his diligent efforts for computerization and innovative approaches of the Radio Frequency Spectrum Management functions, it was possible to refarm (vacation from existing users) the crucially needed RF Spectrum for the growth of cellular mobile phone services in India for the crucial early part of the cellular phone services during the beginning of this Century, which paved the way for the exponential growth of mobile phone services subsequently and brought about the telecom revolution in the country. During his period as Wireless Adviser to the Govt. of India, the number of cellular phones in the country grew 250 times (from 1 Million to 250 Million), which brought the power of telephone within the reach of a common man and paved the way for further exponential growth of these services in the country and also brought India’s telecom network to the 2^nd position globally, by subscriber numbers.

Also, with his efforts towards digitization of cellular towers’ locations in the country, it was possible to make an assessment of the areas where cellular services had not reached. Based on this assessment of coverage gaps in cellular services, the Govt. of India, Department of Telecom, brought about a scheme to provide subsidy to telecom operators so as to take the cellular mobile phone services to those unserved areas.

He has also been associated with the satellite communications for more than 50 years. Besides being associated with India’s first commercial satellite Earth station of OCS at Arvi (Pune, for India’s international satellite communications) from early 1971, he played important role in planning and international coordination of Indian satellite system INSAT from 1978 and continue

Through his diligent, hard work at national and international levels, he has made a mark for himself in the specialized field of wireless communications as well as RF Spectrum management, an essential ingredient for modern telecom systems. His approach to the vexed issue of getting adequate spectrum released from other wireless users, including government users, for the cellular mobile services, proved successful. The tremendous growth in mobile telephony and its reach upto a common man, has helped the country in many important aspects like success of Aadhar, Banking system for the common man and many other crucial issues. Thus, he has served the country and the public at large in the crucial field of telecom connectivity. He has more than 50 years of experience in his specialized field.

Recognizing his efforts, the Government of India had sponsored his name for election as Member, Radio Regulations Board (RRB), ITU, Geneva, elections for which were held at its Plenipotentiary Conference in 2006 at Turkey (to be elected by 193 member countries of ITU). The RRB is like an international court to interpret any ambiguity in the complex, ITU Radio Regulations (an international Treaty) as well as to decide any disputes between different countries in the use of Radio Frequencies. The Indian Government, Ministry of Communications and our Embassies canvassed extensively for his candidature and based on his international recognition, he won this election as Member of this prestigious Board of ITU. After completing the four years’ term, his name was again sponsored by Government and he won the international election again at ITU’s Plenipotentiary Conference 2010, at Mexico. He was elected Chairman of RRB for 2013. The ITU has awarded him a Silver Medal and Certificate of Recognition for his Outstanding Services.

Mr. Garg has been associated with ITU and other international forums since 1980 and with the activities of the regional telecom organization – Asia Pacific Telecommunity (APT), Bangkok, right since its establishment in 1979, through the joint initiative of UN-ESCAP and ITU. He is quite active in various activities of these international organisations even now.

The Institution of Electronics & Telecommunication Engineers (IETE), India, had elected him as a Lifetime Fellow. The Institution of Engineers (India), Delhi State Chapter, honored him with the ‘Engineer of the Year – 2003’ award. The Institution of Engineers (India) also felicitated him as an Eminent Personality during 36^th National Convention of Electronics & Telecommunication Engineers held during December 2021. He is also Principal Advisor (Honorary) for Broadband India Forum, Founder Member of the Global ICT Standardization Forum for India (GISFI), Vice-President (Honorary) of the ITU APT Foundation of India, Executive Member (Honorary) of Digital Communication India Forum, Executive Member of the Infocomm Think Tank and many other technical forums and Think Tanks. He has also been a part of the Guest Faculty for the Amity University, Sir Chhotu Ram Technical University and many other technical institutes.

He has travelled widely since 1980 and has represented India on the ITU Governing Council as well as APT Management Committee. He has chaired as well as spoken at large number of national and international conferences in his field, including ITU Conferences, besides publishing many papers on relevant issues.

He believes in ‘Simple Living, Working Hard and Being Helpful’. In office, he has been prompt in his work, with empathy for his colleagues and officials from other Ministries and Departments as well as users from general public. He was leading his team of officers from the front and always protected them in case of any challenge.

He strongly believes in giving back to the underprivileged sections of society and has helped many deserving students through contributions from his industry friends besides his own contributions.