India Mobile Congress 2020: What PM Modi, Airtel and Jio heads said on telecom and 5G

While the event will go on until December 10, we already have some major announcements and talks about the future of tech and telecom industry.

PM Narendra Modi and Union minister Ravi Shanker Prasad at the launch of mobile app 'Bhim' at Talkatora Stadium in New Delhi. (PTI Photo)

Today marked the inauguration of India Mobile Congress 2020 wherein the prime minister Narendra Modi, along with other popular faces like Mukesh Ambani of Reliance Jio and Sunil Mittal of Bharti Airtel talked about technology and future. While the event will go on until December 10, we already have some major announcements and talks about the future of tech and telecom industry. So, here is a brief of what these three icons talked about and what are the key takeaways.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi stressed on the importance of 5G deployment. He said that 5G won't just empower millions of Indians but will also facilitate innovation, one of which is ‘cashless transaction'. 

“It is because of mobile technology that we are seeing billions of cashless transactions which boost formalisation and transparency...It is because of mobile technology that we will enable smooth contactless interface on toll booths,” PM Modi said on the occasion.

He also thanked the telecom sector for their innovation and efforts due to which the country worked smoothly during the pandemic. He also touched on the issue of mobile technology being used to embark on Covid-19 vaccination drive.

Reliance Industries Limited chairman Mukesh Ambani talked about the digital transformation in India playing a major role in keeping things running smoothly even during the Covid-19 lockdown. He also stressed on the importance of getting an affordable smartphone to millions of underprivileged people.

As for 5G, Ambani added that Jio will pioneer the 5G revolution in India in 2021. “In order to maintain this lead, policy steps are needed to accelerate early rollout of 5G, and to make it affordable and available everywhere...I assure you that JIO will pioneer the 5G Revolution in India in the second half of 2021,” the RIL Chairman said.

Reliance Jio rival, Airtel's Sunil Bharti Mittal also talked about 5G and investments in the technology in the coming years. He also talked about space as the "next frontier of communications". With India's lead in the space tech, space communication industry will boost as well. During the India Mobile Congress 2020, Mittal added that while the pandemic has led to quick adoption of various digital products and services, 5G will likely become a norm in next 2-3 years.

Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad, at India Mobile Congress 2020, said that foreign investments are welcome but at the same time, the govt is also promoting India-made tech and products. He said that IT and communications sectors have registered more than 7% growth even during the pandemic. In addition, he said that tech should be safe for everyone.