The eighth edition of the India Mobile Congress (IMC) commenced today, October 15, with an inaugural ceremony led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This four-day event is set to conclude on October 18 and promises to showcase the latest advancements in telecommunications and digital technology.
PM Modi Emphasizes Digital India
During the inauguration, PM Modi highlighted the holistic approach of Digital India, stating, “India has democratised digital technology.” He outlined the significance of telecommunications as more than just connectivity, noting its role in fostering equity and opportunity across the nation. Modi reminisced about the launch of the Digital India initiative a decade ago, which aimed to reduce device costs, enhance digital connectivity, ensure data accessibility, and adopt a ‘digital-first’ approach.
Global Empowerment and Connectivity
Modi introduced the World Telecommunication Standardisation Assembly (WTSA) 2024 at the event, emphasizing the need for global consensus in achieving empowerment through enhanced connectivity. “In a world increasingly marked by conflict, both consensus and connectivity play a crucial role,” he stated.
India’s 5G Progress
The Prime Minister also shared impressive statistics about India’s telecommunications infrastructure, mentioning that the country has laid optical fibers spanning a distance equivalent to eight times that of the Earth to the moon. He announced that every district in India now has 5G coverage, with rapid advancements being made towards developing 6G technology. “In the last two years, we introduced 5G, and now we are making swift progress towards 6G,” Modi added.
Economic Impact of 5G
Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia echoed Modi’s sentiments, declaring that India will lead the world in 6G technology. He mentioned that 5G is expected to contribute approximately $450 billion to the economy by 2040 and highlighted the successful rollout of 5G across all states and Union Territories.
Participation from Industry Giants
IMC 2024, hosted at Pragati Maidan, will feature participation from major industry players, including Xiaomi, Qualcomm, and Reliance Jio. Akash Ambani, Chairman of Reliance Jio, emphasized that AI has the potential to transform India into a global manufacturing and service hub.
Focus on Next-Gen Technology
A central theme of the event will be advancements in 5G technology, alongside demonstrations of practical AI applications. Xiaomi and Snapdragon are expected to announce a partnership aimed at integrating Snapdragon’s latest chips into Xiaomi devices, enhancing performance, particularly in budget smartphones.
Qualcomm’s Major Showcase
Qualcomm will be a major highlight, showcasing the potential of on-device AI to improve mobile experiences and industrial processes. The company aims to advocate for broader 5G adoption, focusing on increased accessibility throughout India. Attendees can look forward to demonstrations of Qualcomm’s latest processors tailored for intensive computing needs.
Exciting Innovations
One of the most anticipated showcases is Qualcomm’s demonstration of the Meta Ray-Ban smart glasses, powered by the Snapdragon AR1 Gen1 chip. These smart glasses aim to bring augmented reality into daily life, featuring real-time navigation, text translation, and immersive experiences, reinforcing Qualcomm’s vision for integrating wearables into the tech ecosystem.
As IMC 2024 unfolds over the next few days, it promises to be a significant event for technology enthusiasts and industry leaders alike, spotlighting India’s strides in telecommunications and digital innovation.
