The India Mobile Congress (IMC) 2024 started. This is the eighth time this big tech event is happening. Prime Minister Narendra Modi opened the event. He also started the World Telecommunication Standardisation Assembly (WTSA) 2024, which is organized by the International Telecommunication Union, a part of the United Nations. Modi said, “India has democratized digital technology.”
Importance of Telecommunications
He explained that in India, telecommunications is more than just connecting people. It creates fairness and chances for everyone. When he launched the Digital India initiative ten years ago, he focused on a big plan. This plan has four main points:
- Lowering device costs.
- Ensuring internet access for all.
- Making data easy to access.
- Following a 'digital-first' approach.
Global Empowerment and Connectivity
Modi highlighted that the WTSA aims for global empowerment through agreements, while the IMC wants to improve connectivity. He said both are important in a world with many conflicts.
Progress in Telecommunications
Over the past decade, India has built optical fibers stretching a distance that is eight times the distance from the Earth to the Moon. Two years ago, at IMC, India introduced 5G technology. Now, every district in India has 5G coverage. Modi mentioned that India has become a strong 5G market and is quickly moving towards 6G technology.
Leadership in 6G Technology
Jyotiraditya Scindia also spoke at the event. He said, “We march with the world in 5G, but we shall lead the world in 6G.” He added that 5G is expected to bring $450 billion to the Indian economy by 2040. In just 22 months, India has rolled out 5G in all 36 states and union territories, covering 98% of districts and 80% of the population.
Event Details
IMC 2024 will last four days and will end on October 18. It is happening at Pragati Maidan and will have many big companies, like Xiaomi, Qualcomm, Reliance Jio, and Ericsson. The popular Meta Ray-Ban XR glasses will also be shown at the event.
Vision for AI and New Technologies
Akash Ambani, the chairman of Reliance Jio, spoke at IMC too. He said, “With AI, India can become a new factory and service center for the world.”
Focus on 5G and AI Advancements
A big focus of this event is on 5G improvements, practical uses of AI, and new technology demonstrations. Xiaomi and Snapdragon are partnering to put Snapdragon's new chips into Xiaomi devices. This will help improve performance, especially for budget smart phones.
Qualcomm’s Showcase
Qualcomm's display will be a major highlight. It will show how on-device AI can enhance mobile experiences and help industries. They will also promote broader 5G use, aiming for more people in India to access it. Visitors can see Qualcomm's latest processors, including their 10-core, 12-core, and 8-core models, designed for heavy computing.
Meta Ray-Ban Smart Glasses
An exciting part of Qualcomm's exhibit is the demo of the Meta Ray-Ban smart glasses. These glasses use the Snapdragon AR1 Gen1 chip. They aim to bring augmented reality into daily life, offering features like real-time navigation, text translation, and fun experiences. This shows Qualcomm's plan to blend wearables into the tech world.
