The 7th Edition of the India Mobile Congress (IMC) 2023 commenced with the grand inauguration by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi. IMC is recognized as Asia’s largest telecom, media, and technology forum, and this year, it runs from October 27 to 29, 2023, with the overarching theme of “Global Digital Innovation.”
A Vision of Technological Progress
In his inaugural address, Prime Minister Modi underlined India’s transformative role in the global technology landscape. He emphasized the importance of technology in shaping the nation’s future and the world at large, noting that the “future is here and now.”
Recognizing 5G Advancements
Prime Minister Modi lauded India’s rapid progress in the field of 5G technology. He pointed out that the 5G rollout in India, which occurred last year, took the world by surprise. However, India’s commitment did not stop at the rollout; the nation took on the monumental task of ensuring 5G reaches every individual.
Within just one year of the 5G rollout, India has developed an impressive 4 lakh 5G base stations, covering over 97 percent of cities and 80 percent of the population. The Prime Minister also highlighted the threefold increase in the median mobile broadband speed within a year, moving India from the 118th position to the 43rd position in terms of broadband speed.
A Vision for the Future: 6G and More
Prime Minister Modi acknowledged that India is not only expanding its 5G network but also focusing on becoming a global leader in 6G technology. He expressed confidence that India is poised to take the lead in 6G technology, emphasizing that the 4G rollout under his government has been free from blemishes.
The Prime Minister celebrated India’s remarkable achievements in the startup ecosystem. He noted that India has made a significant impact on the global stage in recent years, with nearly one lakh startups, a remarkable increase from just a few hundred before 2014. He also lauded the ‘Aspire’ program, an initiative by the Indian Mobile Congress aimed at mentoring startups in the country.
Success in Mobile and Electronics Manufacturing
Prime Minister Modi highlighted the success of India in mobile and electronics manufacturing. The country has evolved from being an importer of mobile phones to becoming the second-largest mobile manufacturer globally. India is now exporting around Rs 2 lakh crores worth of electronics manufactured domestically. Notably, global tech giants like Google have also announced their plans to manufacture in India.
To further bolster the technology ecosystem, Prime Minister Modi stressed the importance of building a robust semiconductor manufacturing sector in India. He revealed an 80,000 crore rupees Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme aimed at developing semiconductors. The Prime Minister noted that semiconductor companies from around the world are investing in semiconductor assembly and testing facilities in collaboration with Indian firms.
Enabling Digital Transformation
Prime Minister Modi emphasized the importance of technology in the factors that will elevate a developing nation to a developed one. India is ahead of any developed nation in the development of digital technology. He highlighted initiatives aimed at linking various sectors with technology, such as PM Gatishakti in logistics, National Health Mission in healthcare, and Agri Stack in agriculture.
“Recognizing the importance of cybersecurity and national security, the Prime Minister emphasized that a self-reliant approach in the entire manufacturing value chain is crucial for cybersecurity. The security of the network infrastructure is vital and requires discussions on keeping democratic societies safe”.
Transformative Thought Leadership
Prime Minister Modi underscored the current era as India’s “Thought Leadership” period. He encouraged thought leaders to create new domains, such as the Unified Payments Interface (UPI), which has set a global standard in digital payment systems. India’s vibrant democracy and young demography provide it with a unique advantage, making it a leader in tech innovation.
The Prime Minister reiterated the government’s commitment to ensuring that technology and resources are accessible to all. He highlighted the role of telecom technology in this endeavor, mentioning initiatives like Bharat Net, Atal Tinkering Labs, and the recently launched 5G use labs. These labs inspire the youth to dream big and give them the confidence to achieve those dreams.
