India Mobile Congress Highlights: Jio to end digital exclusion, says Akash Ambani

The live coverage of India Mobile Congress 2023 has concluded. For more news, views and updates, stay tuned to moneycontrol.com.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasised that India, in the past, may have missed opportunities in the realm of tech innovation, but now the country is poised for thought leadership. India is already regarded as a thought leader in various digital areas, such as digital payments through the Unified Payments Interface.

He noted that prior to 2014, India primarily imported mobile phones, but now the country has transformed into a mobile phone exporter. India has risen to become the second-largest mobile manufacturer in the world.

The Prime Minister also mentioned that India is currently exporting electronic goods worth Rs 2 lakh crore, reflecting the growing strength of the country's electronics industry.

Google has decided to produce its Pixel devices in India, joining Samsung Galaxy Z Fold5 and iPhone 15 in local manufacturing, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said while addressing the India Mobile Congress (IMC) session on October 27.

The IMC 2023 has introduced the Aspire programme, aimed at supporting Indian startups in their growth journey. Over the past decade, India has witnessed a significant increase in startups, with the number now reaching into the hundreds of thousands, he said.

PM Modi expressed confidence in India's youth, highlighting their enterprise, speed, and energy, and their potential to surprise the world with innovative solutions and products.

During his address at the India Mobile Congress session on October 27, Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasised the government's focus on the democratisation of technology and the pursuit of social justice. He highlighted that the government's priority is to ensure that citizens have access to capital, resources, and technology.

PM Modi also underscored the role of internet connectivity and improved speeds in enhancing the quality of life for citizens. These technological advancements enable students to seek guidance from teachers, patients to consult with doctors, and farmers to access new farming techniques.

He further noted the remarkable progress in India's broadband speed, which has tripled over the past year. India, once ranked at the 118th position in terms of global internet speed, has now moved up to the 40s due to the 5G rollout. Within a year of the launch, there are over 4 lakh base stations, covering 80 percent of the population and 97 percent of subscribers.

PM Modi also mentioned that India is moving towards taking a leadership role in the development of 6G technology.

Google will be making its pixel phones in India
Samsung and Apple phones (iPhone 15) are already being made in India

He also noted that Vi has been actively developing advanced use cases in various sectors, including agriculture, automotive, and logistics.
Birla extended his appreciation to Prime Minister Modi for his vision of digital transformation and mentioned that Vi has been diligently working on the preparations for the 5G rollout in the country in recent years.
India’s digital revolution is gaining global recognition for inclusion and innovation and many countries in the global south are willing to replicate India’s DPIs, he added

At IMC 2023, PM inaugurates 100 5G labs in colleges, with varying rollout commitments – Kumar Mangalam Birla without a timeline, while Airtel's Sunil Bharti Mittal commits to March 2024.

Sunil Bharti Mittal discusses the growth in local manufacturing, global recognition of India's digital infrastructure, Airtel's 5G expansion, and PM Modi's influence on digital technology.

Kumar Mangalam Birla expresses gratitude to PM Modi for the vision of digital transformation and Vodafone Idea's efforts toward 5G rollout.

Reliance Jio has successfully demonstrated India's pioneering satellite-based giga fibre service, known as JioSpaceFiber, at the India Mobile Congress on October 27. This service is designed to bring high-speed broadband connectivity to previously hard-to-reach regions throughout India at cost-effective rates. Through a partnership with SES, Jio gains access to medium earth orbit satellite technology, making it the sole provider in the industry capable of delivering this service.
Additionally, the satellite network will improve the reach and scalability of Jio's True5G network in remote areas. Notably, Jio has already connected four locations with JioSpaceFiber, showcasing its commitment to expanding access to broadband services.

Akash Ambani, Jio's chairman, speaks at IMC 2023, highlighting the Prime Minister's aspirational vision and commitment to innovation.

IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announces 6G vision document launch and faster ROW permissions at IMC 2023.

Today, it is a sunrise sector free from scams and litigation. India's telecom industry is known for its 5G rollout, affordable data, and telecom tech exports," says IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw.

It is an industry body which represents major telecom companies. The event brings together industry, government, academia, and other ecosystem players to discuss, deliberate, demonstrate and display the latest trends in the realm of technology, media and telecommunications (TMT) and ICT. This year's IMC will be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Reliance chairman Mukesh Ambani, Minister for Electronics and Information technology Ashwini Vaishnaw and others. The three day event ends on Sunday.

The Indian Mobile Congress 2023 introduces "Aspire," a dedicated program for startups. Aspire aims to facilitate connections between startups, investors, and established businesses to stimulate new entrepreneurial initiatives and collaborations. The IMC website anticipates the participation of around 1,000 startups at the event, and you can watch the Aspire sessions online.

The Indian Mobile Congress is Asia's largest telecom, media, and tech forum, jointly organized by India's Department of Telecommunications and the Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI). It features top speakers, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and influential figures like Mukesh Ambani, Kumar Mangalam Birla, and Sunil Bharti Mittal from the telecom and technology sectors.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the 7th India Mobile Congress today, and award 100 '5G Use Case Labs' to educational institutions as part of the '100 5G labs initiative.' This initiative promotes 5G technology applications, fostering innovation and strengthening India's position in telecommunications and technology. The congress will focus on key technologies like 5G, 6G, AI, and address issues in the semiconductor, green tech, and cybersecurity sectors. Additionally, a startup program called 'Aspire' will catalyze entrepreneurial initiatives. Over 100,000 participants from 22 countries, including 5000 CEOs, 230 exhibitors, 400 startups, will attend.