The 8th Edition of Indian Mobile Congress 2024: A Gateway to the Future of Telecom and Technology
The Indian Mobile Congress (IMC) 2024, Asia’s largest telecom, media, and technology forum, commenced on October 15, 2024, at Pragati Maidan in New Delhi. Jointly organized by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) and the Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI), this year’s event is themed "The Future is Now." The inauguration was graced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who emphasized the four pillars of Digital India: affordable devices, extensive digital connectivity, accessible data, and a goal of ‘Digital First.’
A Vision for Digital India
During his walkthrough of the exhibition area, Prime Minister Modi articulated a vision for a digitally empowered India. He underscored the importance of making technology accessible to all citizens, ensuring that digital connectivity reaches even the remotest corners of the country. This vision aligns with the broader goals of enhancing the digital landscape and fostering innovation across various sectors.
Showcasing Innovation and Technology
The first day of IMC 2024 was a vibrant showcase of innovative technologies, ideas, and use cases across key industries. Global leaders, visionaries, and innovators presented their insights on telecom and digital infrastructure, quantum technology, circular economy, 5G and 6G use cases, cloud and edge computing, IoT, semiconductors, cybersecurity, green tech, satcom, and electronics manufacturing.
Key sessions included discussions on the future of telecom, the role of AI in enhancing connectivity, and the importance of women in driving the digital paradigm. These discussions highlighted the multifaceted nature of the telecom industry and its potential to shape the future of technology.
Insights from Industry Leaders
The inaugural day featured impactful speeches from industry leaders who shared their perspectives on the evolving telecom landscape.
Mats Granryd, Director General of GSMA
Granryd praised India’s rapid rollout of 5G, stating, “India is doing absolutely phenomenal, and the rollout of 5G is literally unmatched.” He emphasized the need for ethical considerations in AI development and the importance of aligning spectrum management to achieve connectivity targets.
Lt. Gen. Dr. S.P. Kochhar, DG, COAI
Kochhar highlighted the integral role of cybersecurity in the digital fabric of India. He stated, “As we navigate the complexities of 5G, cybersecurity is no longer an overlay but an integral part of our digital fabric.” His comments underscored the necessity for innovative solutions to address the evolving threat landscape.
Udayan Mukherjee, Intel Senior Fellow
Mukherjee discussed the transformative potential of AI within telecommunications, particularly as the industry moves towards 6G. He noted, “Our advancements in silicon are built to handle complex AI workloads at the network edge, ensuring future-proof solutions.”
Alex Rogers, Qualcomm
Rogers pointed out that 5G has significantly driven data consumption in India, making it the second-largest smartphone market. He emphasized the need for edge AI to manage the projected power demands of data centers.
Vito Di Maria, Nokia
Di Maria spoke about the challenges of data generation and connectivity in India, emphasizing the need for scalable solutions to overcome geographical obstacles.
A. Gururaj, Optiemus Electronics Ltd.
Gururaj echoed the Prime Minister’s call for affordable devices, highlighting the importance of modular smartphones and the need for advancements in battery technology.
A Platform for Global Collaboration
Concurrent with IMC 2024, India is also hosting the World Telecommunication Standardization Assembly (WTSA 2024) and the Global Standards Symposium (GSS 2024). These events aim to foster international collaboration and standardization in telecommunications, further solidifying India’s position as a global leader in the tech landscape.
A Showcase of Innovation
IMC 2024 is set to feature over 400 exhibitors, approximately 900 startups, and participation from more than 120 countries. The event aims to showcase over 900 technology use case scenarios and host more than 100 sessions with over 600 global and Indian speakers. This diverse participation underscores the significance of IMC as a platform for showcasing innovative solutions and services across the technology and telecom ecosystem.
Conclusion
The Indian Mobile Congress 2024 stands as a testament to India’s commitment to becoming a global leader in technology and telecommunications. With a focus on innovation, collaboration, and accessibility, the event is poised to shape the future of the digital landscape in India and beyond. As industry leaders gather to share insights and explore new opportunities, the IMC serves as a crucial platform for driving the next wave of technological advancement in the region.