PM Modi inaugurates 100 5G labs across education institutes at IMC 2023

Prime Minister Narendra Modi awarded 100 ‘5G Use Case Labs’ to educational institutions across the country. These labs are being developed under the ‘100 5G labs initiative’. All major tech institutes across different states in India now have got a 5G Lab including the IITs.

Speaking at the India Mobile Congress in Delhi, PM Modi said that the move will allow the youth of India to dream big and to have the will to achieve it.

Addressing the India Mobile Congress. https://t.co/wY1CG1Hw5A

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) October 27, 2023

“We are not only expanding 5G in the country but also moving in the direction of becoming leaders in the area of 6G technology…Everyone knows what happened during the 2G (spectrum allocation during UPA govt). During our government, 4G was expanded but there was no stain on us. I am confident that India will lead the world in 6G technology,” PM Modi said.

“Be it technology, be it connectivity, be it 6G, be it AI, Cybersecurity, Semiconductors, Drones, Deep sea, the times to come are going to be completely different and it is a matter of happiness for everyone that our young generation is leading the future of the country,” he added.

“The ‘100 5G labs initiative’, is an endeavour to realise the opportunities associated with 5G technology by encouraging development of 5G applications which cater, both to India’s unique needs as well as the global demands. The unique initiative will foster innovation across various socioeconomic sectors like education, agriculture, health, power, transportation etc, and propel the country into the forefront of usage of 5G technology,” according to a statement.
He explained Reliance Jio’s initiative of Space Fibre, capable of speeds of up to 1 Gbps. Also on display at the Jio pavilion is the Jio Bharat device, which offers 4G services.

Sunil Bharti Mittal, Chairperson of Bharti Enterprises, also interacted with the Prime Minister. At the Mobile Congress Bharti Enterprises is showcasing what it calls the future of innovation with technologies like 5G Plus, AI-enabled tech, and other Digital infrastructure.

Earlier, Reliance Jio Infocomm Limited demonstrated India’s first satellite-based giga fibre service ‘JioSpaceFiber’ to provide high-speed broadband services to previously inaccessible geographies within India. Jio demonstrated its new satellite broadband.

During the event, PM Modi will also confer awards upon 100 ‘5G Use Case Labs’ established in educational institutions across India as part of the ‘100 5G Labs initiative.’This initiative aims to harness the potential of 5G technology by promoting the development of 5G applications tailored to India’s unique requirements and global demands.

By encouraging innovation across various sectors, including education, agriculture, healthcare, power, and transportation, the initiative propels India to the forefront of 5G technology utilization.

Moreover, it plays a pivotal role in preparing the country’s academic and start-up ecosystem for the upcoming 6G era, contributing significantly to the development of indigenous telecom technology vital for national security.

Speaking at the event Union Minister of Communications, Electronics & Information Technology Ashwini Vaishnaw said the PM’s vision was of technology that is democratised.”It is the vision of PM Modi that technology is democratised and people-centric and paves a way for the development of the society. With this vision, PM Modi has transformed the telecom sector,” the Union Minister said.

The India Mobile Congress (IMC) 2023, scheduled from October 27 to 29, is Asia’s largest telecom, media, and technology forum. It provides a platform to showcase India’s remarkable advancements in telecommunications and technology, making significant announcements and offering start-ups the opportunity to showcase innovative products and solutions.

Under the theme ‘Global Digital Innovation,’ IMC 2023 seeks to reinforce India’s position as a developer, manufacturer, and exporter of cutting-edge technologies, including 5G, 6G, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and critical discussions on issues related to the semiconductor industry, green technology, and cybersecurity.

This year, IMC introduces a startup program called ‘Aspire’ to facilitate connections between startups, investors, and established businesses, promoting fresh entrepreneurial initiatives and collaborations.

The event is expected to host over one lakh participants from 22 countries, including approximately 5,000 CEO-level delegates, 230 exhibitors, 400 startups, and various stakeholders.

With inputs from agencies.