- 5G now reaches every district of India, Modi said
- 5G runs from over 5.5 lakh base stations, with internet speeds up tenfold
- Over 50 lakh crore rupees transferred to beneficiaries via mobile platforms
- PM Kisan Samman Nidhi has deposited over 4 lakh crore rupees directly to farmers
- Modi urged a Global Framework to tackle deepfakes and cyber fraud
5G now reaches every district of the country, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said at the 10th India Mobile Congress in New Delhi on October 8. He inaugurated the event at Yashobhoomi.
Modi said the event marked 10 years of the India Mobile Congress. India also hosted the GSMA Board meeting this year. He welcomed telecom operators, industry leaders, academics and startups to the summit.
Phones as a tool of governance
Modi said the mobile phone has become a key tool of good governance over the past 10-12 years. He called it the core of the Digital India vision.
Hundreds of government services can now be accessed on mobile phones. Government aid goes directly into beneficiaries’ accounts.
He said over 50 lakh crore rupees has been transferred to beneficiaries through mobile platforms. This stopped 5 lakh crore rupees from leaking into corrupt hands.
Under the PM Kisan Samman Nidhi, over 4 lakh crore rupees has been deposited directly to small farmers, he said.
Digital access and learning
Modi said the digital divide was a major challenge a decade ago. Modern technology was becoming a privilege for those who could afford it.
He said the Digital India campaign placed the mobile phone at its centre to democratise technology.
During the pandemic peak up to July 2022, the national Diksha online platform recorded over 5 billion learning sessions and 60 billion learning minutes, he said. The government aims to connect about 25 crore students with digital and online education.
Gaming, content and 5G
Modi said 5G networks now run from over 5.5 lakh base stations. He said internet speeds have risen tenfold.
Over 50 crore people, mostly young people in Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities, are now part of the gaming ecosystem, he said. He added that the content creation sector has grown into a multi-thousand-crore industry.
Security and the road ahead
Modi said phone and network security is a national priority. He said citizens must trust that their data is safe.
He warned that deepfakes and cyber fraud need a coordinated Global Framework. He asked the GSMA to help build mechanisms that stop fraud before it reaches users.
Modi said commercial semiconductor production is now live at five locations. The next phase of the India Semiconductor Mission will target the whole supply chain.
He said reforms such as the Telecommunications Act and the GatiShakti portal are moving forward. He said India has moved from a consumer to a creator, and aims to control product design, technology and intellectual property.
Earlier in his address, Modi paid tribute to actor Nana Patekar, who died that morning. He also greeted the nation on Air Force Day and marked 25 years as head of government.
