New Delhi, Oct 1 (UNI) Launching the 5G mobile telephony services that promises ultra high speed Internet speed on mobile phones, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said the 5G technology will revolutionise the telecom sector.
He also declared the sixth edition of India Mobile Congress 2022 open at Pragati Maidan here. The IMC 2022 is being held from October 1 to 4 with the theme of New Digital Universe.
"The launch of 5G is a gift from the telecom industry to 130 crore Indians. The 5G technology will take connectivity to the last mile... 5G will open many opportunities for the youth. This is a big step towards our vision of a Viksit Bharat," the Prime Minister said.
He said with 5G technology, India was leading and setting the global standard in telecom technology. India will play an important role in the technological revolution of the world, he added.
Elaborating on the progress that the country has made in digital connectivity in recent years, the Prime Minister said from just 100 Gram Panchayats with optical fiber connectivity, India now has over 170,000 panchayats connected with optical fiber.
"From 6 crore digital users in 2014, we today have 80 crore digital users in the country, with over 85 crore internet connections... In 2014 there were only two mobile manufacturing facilities, today that number has increased to over 200 manufacturing facilities," he said.
"In 2014, 14GB data cost Rs 4,200 per month. Today, the same data costs just Rs 125," he added.
Describing the government's efforts on making digital payments easier and promoting app based citizen-centric delivery services, the Prime Minister said today, be it our small traders, small entrepreneurs, local artists and artisans, digital India has given a platform to everyone.
"There was a time when a handful of elite class people doubted the ability of the poor. They felt that the poor would not even understand the meaning of digital... Today you go to a local market or vegetable market and see, even a small shopkeeper or a street vendor will tell you, do 'UPI' not cash," he said.
The 5G technology is aimed at providing seamless coverage, high data rate, low latency, and highly reliable communications.
The India Mobile Congress brings together leading thinkers, entrepreneurs, innovators, and government officials to discuss and showcase unique opportunities emerging from the rapid adoption and spread of digital technology.
Business tycoons like Mukesh Ambani, Sunil Bharti Mittal and Kumar Mangalam Birla attended the event.
The Reliance Industries Chairman announced that Jio will launch 5G telephony services across India by December 2023.
Mittal announced that the company was starting 5G services in eight cities on Saturday and plans to cover the entire country by 2024.
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