The 7th Edition of Indian Mobile Congress (IMC) 2023, Asia’s leading telecom, media, and technology forum, organized collaboratively by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) and the Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI), concluded on 29 October after three days of enriching discussions on ICT, electronics, and Cyber.
On the final day of India Mobile Congress 2023, industry leaders participated with a key focus on addressing India’s Telecommunications needs, Network Evolution beyond 5G, Standardization for 6G, 6G RAN and Devices, Applications and Digitization, Evolution of AI, and the Future of Networks.
It saw discussions on India’s role in the shifting global semiconductor landscape and growing global interest in India as a manufacturing destination for the semiconductor industry.
During the India Mobile Congress, significant announcements centred around 5G and 6G technologies. Discussions emphasized the merging of digital inclusion, India’s indigenous 5G tech, and the advancement of digital public infrastructure. Additionally, the forum honoured inclusivity with an engaging session celebrating the noteworthy accomplishments of women in the technology sector.
At IMC, India’s position in electronic and telecom manufacturing was emphasized, including discussions on the path ahead for India’s economic paradigm shift. With more than 400 speakers participating in panel discussions, sharing their insights over 80 sessions, the IMC 2023 took place in 7 conference halls throughout the three-day period.
The second day featured sessions which included further discussion on path to innovation and entrepreneurship with insights of other prominent industry leaders.
The IMC exhibited trends and innovations in the telecom, media, and technology industries. In this article, here the major highlights of IMC 2023 that you should not overlook, including new products and services, as well as groundbreaking technologies and solutions.
5G and its future prospects
The event delved into the possibilities of 5G technology across sectors like education, agriculture, healthcare, power, and transportation, focusing on its customization to meet India’s unique requirements and global standards. Additionally, it addressed the aspects related to the semiconductor industry, green technology, and cyber security.
The event played a significant role in preparing India’s academic and start-up ecosystem for the upcoming 6G era and in developing indigenous telecom technology to bolster national security.
PM Modi’s Commendation of India’s 5G Achievements
PM Modi praised India’s accomplishments in the field of 5G during his inaugural speech at the event. He highlighted India’s successful 5G rollout and emphasized the nation’s commitment to ensuring widespread accessibility. PM Modi mentioned the development of 400,000 5G base stations, covering over 97 percent of cities and 80 percent of the population.
He also mentioned that India’s median mobile broadband speed has tripled in a year, leading to an improvement in the country’s global broadband speed ranking from 118th to 43rd place. Additionally, he highlighted India’s progress in not only expanding its 5G network but also emerging as a frontrunner in 6G technology. Give heading
Establishment of 100 5G labs across India
IMC 2023 announced the establishment of 100 5G labs across India to facilitate the engagement of students, professors, startups, and MSMEs in the development of 5G technology for various sectors including health, agriculture, and manufacturing.
These labs will be established in academic institutions across multiple states such as Andhra Pradesh, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Manipur, Telangana, and Karnataka. Notable institutions hosting these labs include IIT Guwahati, IIT Silchar, Delhi Technological University, Jamia Hamdard University, Birla Institute of Technology Mesra, among others.
Reliance Jio showcased satellite-based broadband
Reliance Jio presented the nation’s inaugural satellite-based Gigabit broadband service, demonstrating its capability to deliver high-speed internet in previously unreachable areas. During the event, Jio showcased its internet provision in four remote locations: Gir Gujarat, Korba Chattisgarh, Nabrangpur Odissa, and Jorhat Assam. However, there is currently no information available regarding the wider availability of this service to users.
Nokia demonstrates capabilities of 6G tech
Nokia showcased its vision for the future of wireless communication, unveiling its 6G technology to establish situational awareness capable of sensing and interacting with the environment while maintaining privacy.
Demonstrating the capabilities of its 6G network, Nokia highlighted its radar-like functionality, enabling the detection of objects, people, and movements even around corners and at a distance. Additionally, Nokia presented its intelligent and secure railway networks, employing a private wireless network to facilitate advanced signaling and train control systems, thereby enabling faster, safer, and more eco-friendly transportation for Indian commuters.
Ericsson’s introduced RedCap solution
Ericsson launched its latest radio access network (RAN) software solution, RedCap, designed to streamline and prolong the battery life of 5G devices, while simultaneously enhancing data rates and speeds. RedCap caters to devices like smartwatches, wearables, industrial sensors, and AR/VR devices, prioritizing low power consumption and high performance. In collaboration with Airtel and Qualcomm, Ericsson showcased the capabilities of RedCap devices on the Airtel 5G network.
IMC introduced Aspire and Robo Blitz
India Mobile Congress 2023 introduced two new initiatives, Aspire and Robo Blitz, aimed at nurturing entrepreneurship and skill development among young innovators and engineers. Aspire focused on fostering emerging technologies in the telecom and digital sectors through a start-up program.
Robo Blitz, on the other hand, hosted a robo wars event, encouraging participants to demonstrate their expertise in robotics. These initiatives underscored the event’s dedication to cultivating the future leaders and creators in the digital landscape.
Massive Participation
The event is expected to host over 100,000 participants from 22 countries, including approximately 5,000 CEO-level delegates, 230 exhibitors, 400 startups, and various stakeholders. These attendees are offered a platform for networking, collaboration, and knowledge exchange within the global telecom community.
Lt. Gen. Dr. S.P. Kochhar, DG, Cellular Operators Association of India said, ‘The end goal of operators, government and all stakeholders is to provide the best services to the Citizens across the length and breadth of the country in the most affordable manner. Today, we realize how crucial networks are as we, during COVID, understood how important network connectivity was. The ever-growing heightened use of data has put a lot of pressure on Telecom companies, and this is a global trend. We have seen many companies fold up globally, and in India, we can’t let the mammoth investments of the TSPs go to waste.’
‘In a price sensitive market like India, it is not desired to increase prices for the customers, but to truly reap the benefits of 5G like slicing, etc., networks must be sound. Despite having the highest spectrum cost and taxes, India provides one of the best mobile services, but we have to seriously look into reducing input costs for the industry. 5G should not be looked at through the lenses of 4G – nearly 80% of data usage done by platforms doesn’t pay for the networks. We need to sit together and decide how we can work together, and the government must play a role in the same. On the usage of spectrum, I would like to share a thought with stakeholders regarding the Re-Use of Spectrum, which can be done on differential prices with permutation and combinations. Today, on the Hon’ble Prime Minister’s clarion call for ‘Make in India’, the Industry has achieved significant success with rising exports. We believe that by the time of 6G in 2030, the industry will completely shift from ‘Make in India’ to ‘Made in India’, he added.
Magnus Ewerbring, CTO, APAC, Ericsson, said, ‘It’s not just about the network; it’s about creating a thriving ecosystem with differentiating services. The success of 5G hinges on harnessing its capabilities through innovative applications.’
Mangus also mentioned that the launch of 100 innovative labs by the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, which will accessible to universities, is a testament to this progress. In the business arena, technology and market dynamics play pivotal roles. Network slicing is the lifeline, and pricing should resonate with the value delivered. Early adopters will reap the benefits. Additionally, automation and cybersecurity are reshaping industries, providing critical insights, even to credit card companies. It’s an exciting journey, and we’re excited to be part of it.
Sankaranarayanan Viswanathan, Vice President and CTO business Solutions, TCS, said, “5G is not merely a technological advancement; it’s a metaphor for the convergence of multiple technologies ushering in the next wave of transformation. Making technology real for our customers is our biggest challenge. Far and in between, customers have struggled to make the transition to 5G use cases because they understand the problems exist in their landscape. There are significant logistical challengers which exist for our customers and we have to appreciate the same.’
He further adding stated, ‘The first big transformation we are witnessing is IoT, which is happening on scale owing to the reduced compute cost. Secondly, people require analytics and AI to drive real time decision-making, which is followed by edge capabilities. Gen AI is also driving a variety of innovative use cases but we must remember the people aspect behind technology. There needs to be interplay between customers and technology solutions to ensure optimal outcomes.’
Commenting on women in tech, Jeanette Whyte, Head of Public Policy, GSMA, said, ‘Empowering women in the digital age is not just a matter of bridging the smartphone gender gap, but of unleashing their potential for global progress. With our Mobile Internet Skills Training Toolkit, partnerships with organizations like the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, and our commitment to diversity in tech, GSMA is not just changing statistics; we’re shaping a brighter future. We need to continue to amplify the voices of women in the digital revolution.’
