The seventh edition of the India Mobile Congress (IMC) was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. During the programme, he awarded 100 “5G use case labs” to educational institutions across the country. The event, themed “Global Digital Innovation”, was aimed at strengthening India’s position as a developer, manufacturer and exporter of key cutting-edge technologies. In the Prime Minister’s inaugural address, he spoke about the progress in 5G connectivity, the growing number of start-ups in the country and the increasing need for cybersecurity while encouraging thought leadership for future growth. Edited excerpts from his address…
The future is here and now
In the changing times of the 21st century, the world is moving at a faster speed in terms of technology. Earlier, discussions about the future referred to a decade or two from the present. However, underscoring the fast pace of technology today, it is right to say, “the future is here and now”. The future is going to be entirely different, and it is a matter of happiness to see our young generation leading the tech revolution in the fields of 6G, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, semiconductors, drone or space sectors, deep sea, green technology, and other sectors.
“I am confident that India will take the lead in 6G technology.”
5G roll-out to 5G reach-out
The 5G roll-out, which began in October 2022 in India, came as a surprise to the rest of the world as it was the fastest roll-out globally. India did not halt after the success of the 5G launch and took on the work of making it accessible to every individual. It moved from the 5G roll-out stage to the 5G reach-out stage. Within one year of the launch, India has witnessed the development of 400,000 5G base stations, which cover more than 97 per cent of the cities and 80 per cent of the population. Remarkably, the speeds of median mobile broadband have increased three times within one year, taking India from the 118th position to the 43rd position in terms of broadband speed. The government is not only expanding the 5G network across the country but also laying emphasis on becoming a leader in 6G. I am confident that India will take the lead in 6G technology.
Furthermore, beyond rankings and numbers, improvements in internet connectivity and speeds lead to enhanced ease of living. The benefits of improved connectivity and speed have been spreading across various sectors such as education, medicine, tourism and agriculture.
I believe in the power of democratisation. The benefits of development should reach every section and region in India, and everyone should benefit from the resources. I believe everyone should have a life of dignity, and the benefits of technology should reach each citizen. Our government is rapidly working in this direction and, for me, this is the biggest social justice.
Furthermore, access to capital, access to resources and access to technology are a priority for our government. The collateral-free loans under the Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana, access to Swachh Bharat toilets, and direct benefit transfer through the Jan Dhan Yojana, Aadhaar, and mobile (JAM trinity) have one thing in common, that is, ensuring previously inaccessible rights for common citizens. Telecom technology has played a vital role in this. The BharatNet project has connected approximately 200,000 gram panchayats with broadband. Moreover, 10,000 Atal Tinkering Labs are providing about 7.5 million children with exposure to cutting-edge technology. I am hopeful that the 100 5G use case labs launched during IMC 2023 will have a similar impact. These labs prompt the youth to dream big and give them the confidence to achieve them.
“Self-reliance across the entire manufacturing value chain is extremely important for cybersecurity.”
Start-up ecosystem
India’s start-up ecosystem has made a significant place for itself in the world in the past few years. Before 2014,
India was home to only a few hundred start-ups; that number has gone up to approximately 100,000 today. India has made a century of unicorns in a fairly short time and has now become one of the top three start-up ecosystems in the world. I believe that the start-up programme, named Aspire, an initiative by the IMC to mentor start-ups in the country, will hugely benefit the youth of India.
Earlier, India used to be an importer of mobile phones, whereas today, the country has become the second-largest mobile manufacturer in the world. It currently exports about Rs 2 trillion worth of domestically manufactured electronics. Recently, it was announced that Google will manufacture Pixel phones in India, while the Samsung Fold Five and Apple iPhone 15 are already being manufactured in the country. We are proud that the whole world is using made-in-India phones.
Mobile and electronics manufacturing
Today, the success in mobile and electronics manufacturing needs to be taken even further. For the success of both hardware and software in the tech ecosystem, it is important that we build a strong semiconductor manufacturing sector in India. A production-linked incentive scheme worth Rs 800 billion is already under way for the development of semiconductors. Today, semiconductor companies around the world are investing in semiconductor assembly and testing facilities in collaboration with Indian companies. India’s semiconductor mission is moving forward with the vision of meeting not only its domestic demand but also the needs of the world.
With regard to the development of digital technology, India is not lagging behind any developed nation. Various initiatives have been undertaken to link different sectors with technology; for instance, platforms such as the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan in logistics, the National Health Mission in health, and Agri Stack in the agricultural sector. There have been huge investments in scientific research, the quantum mission and the national research foundation. Further, we are promoting indigenous designs and technology development in India.
“India’s 5G roll-out was the fastest roll-out globally. It did not halt after the success of the 5G launch and took on the work of making it accessible to every individual. It moved from the 5G roll-out stage to the 5G reach-out stage.”
Cybersecurity
Another important aspect is cybersecurity and the safety of network infrastructure. There have been extensive discussions on “Global Threats of Cybersecurity” during the G20 Summit. Going forward, self-reliance across the entire manufacturing value chain is extremely important for cybersecurity. It becomes easier to maintain security when everything in the value chain belongs to the national domain, be it hardware, software or connectivity. I stress the need to carry out discussions at the IMC about ensuring the safety of the world’s democratic societies.
“India’s start-up ecosystem has made a significant place for itself in the world. The country has made a century of unicorns in a fairly short time and has now become one of the top three start-up ecosystems in the world.”
Thought leadership is the goal
In the past, we have missed opportunities when it comes to the adoption of new technologies. However, today, India is showcasing its talent in already developed technologies within the country’s IT sector. This period in the 21st century is the time of India’s thought leadership. I urge thought leaders to create new dimensions that the world will follow in the future. We have already demonstrated thought leadership in digital payments through the Unified Payments Interface, which is leading the entire world in digital payments systems today, and other initiatives like the CoWIN vaccine during the Covid-19 pandemic. While being excellent adopters and implementers of technology, we need to also become thought leaders of technology.
India has the immense power of a young demography and a vibrant democracy. Further, I urge the members of the IMC, especially its young members, to move forward in this direction. Today, as we are realising the goal of becoming a developed nation, I am confident that the transition towards thought leaders will bring revolutionary changes in the entire sector.
