NE BUSINESS BUREAU
MUMBAI, JULY 31
Reliance Industries Chairman Mukesh Ambani on Friday called for urgent policy measures to move away from 2G service, which started 25 years ago, and make it a “part of history”.
In his virtual address on Friday at a celebration of 25 years of Mobility – Desh Ki Digital Udaan, Ambani said that 2G era feature phones have kept around 30 crore subscribers away from basic internet services when both India and the world are venturing into 5G domain.
“I specifically refer to the fact that India still has 300 million mobile subscribers trapped in the 2G era, their feature phones keep them excluded even from the basic usage of the internet at a time when both India and the rest of the world are standing at the doorsteps of 5G telephony. I think necessary policy steps should be taken with utmost urgency to make 2G a part of history,” he said.
Most important with data becoming both abundant and affordable, mobile telephony has become a catalyst for enrichment, and empowerment of common Indians in ways that were unthinkable 25 years ago, he added.
“The ongoing COVID lockdown has provided the best examples of how mobile phones are empowering people. They have kept the nation connected, and they have kept the wheels of the economy running. What all this goes to show is how digital mobility is realizing Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s vision of improving the ease of living for common Indians,” he said.
Celebrating the Silver Jubilee of mobility in India, Ambani said that he is happy to mention the significant contribution that Jio has made and is continuing to make in India’s digital Udaan. “In less than four years since its inception, Jio has brought the fruits of the digital revolution to the largest number of mobile users in India. Jio has become the trailblazer in affordability, quality, and functional versatility,” he said.
Talking about RIL’s vision of digital platforms and partnership, Ambani said that this will provide the most advanced technological tools of empowerment to millions of our farmers, small merchants, consumers, small and medium enterprises, students, teachers, health care workers, and innovators. He further said that this will also create new and attractive employment and livelihood opportunities for our talented youth.
“Today I reiterate, Jio’s commitment to making our fullest contribution to the advancement of our Prime Minister’s Digital India mission,” he said.
With concluding remarks, Ambani said, 25 years ago, India was behind the developed world in mobility. “Now the time has come for India to be ahead of the rest of the world in key areas of technology. Let’s all work together to realize this vision and mission,” he said.
