Wed Oct 16 18:23:10 UTC 2024: ## India’s Largest Digital Industry Event, IMC, Kicks Off with Focus on ‘Future is Now’
The eighth edition of the Indian Mobile Congress (IMC), India’s largest digital industry event, commenced today in Delhi. Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the event, themed “The Future is Now”, at the Bharat Mandapam.
The IMC also saw the launch of the first-ever Telecom Standards Conference in India, organized by the International Telecommunications Union (ITU), a UN agency. Over 3,000 industry leaders, policymakers, and tech experts from 190 countries are attending the summit.
**PM Modi Highlights Digital India Vision**
In his address, PM Modi emphasized India’s commitment to empowering the world through connectivity. He highlighted that while mobile connectivity provides convenience globally, in India, it serves as a tool for equity and opportunity.
Modi further emphasized the government’s focus on achieving a Digital India by:
* Reducing the cost of digital devices
* Providing digital connectivity across the nation
* Ensuring accessible data for all citizens
**Industry Leaders Raise Key Issues**
**Akash Ambani**, chairman of Jio Infocomm, called for a change in data center policy to ensure Indian data remains within the country. He advocated for incentives to encourage the development of data centers, citing the potential of Artificial Intelligence to create jobs.
**Sunil Bharti Mittal**, chairman of Bharti Airtel, emphasized the need for fair competition between traditional telecom operators and satellite broadband service providers. He argued that satellite broadband providers should be subject to similar licensing fees and spectrum acquisition requirements as traditional telecom companies.
**Vodafone Idea Revival Assured**
**Kumar Mangalam Birla**, Chairman of Aditya Birla Group, assured the industry about the revival of Vodafone Idea. He expressed confidence in the company’s turnaround capabilities, highlighting its history of successfully overcoming past challenges.
**Jio Launches New Affordable Smartphones**
Reliance Jio launched two new models of its Jio Bharat phone, priced at ₹1099 each. The phones feature over 400 live TV channels, Jio Cinema, Jio Play, Jio Chat, and UPI payments. They also offer access to sports events through Jio Cinema.
**Focus on Satellite Spectrum**
The IMC saw discussions around the regulation of satellite spectrum, with Reliance Jio advocating for spectrum auctions and Bharti Airtel urging for a level playing field for satellite broadband providers.
The IMC, with its focus on the future of technology and digital infrastructure, sets the stage for a week of insightful discussions and impactful collaborations.
First Piper 