IMC 2024 | India leads the world in data affordability at just 12 cents per GB, says PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke about India’s remarkable achievement in reducing data costs, stating that the country now offers internet access at an astonishingly low rate of just 12 cents per gigabyte (GB). This significant drop in prices has positioned India as a leader in global digital affordability, he said.

Modi was addressing the India Mobile Congress (IMC) 2024. With over 1.2 billion mobile users and 950 million internet users, he emphasised the significance of hosting the World Telecommunication Standardization Assembly (WTSA) and IMC together.

During his address, Modi spoke on the transformative impact of affordable data on millions of Indians, enabling greater access to information, services, and opportunities. “While many countries charge 10 to 12 times more for data, India has made a concerted effort to ensure that connectivity is accessible to all,” he said.

This achievement is part of India’s broader Digital India vision. The Prime Minister reiterated that affordable data is a crucial component of this initiative, allowing more people to connect to the internet and participate in the digital economy.

He linked the success in reducing costs to the country’s push for local manufacturing of mobile devices, which has driven down prices and increased accessibility.

India’s 6G leadership vision

Union Minister of Commerce & Industry, Piyush Goyal, also addressed the IMC, emphasizing India’s ambitions to lead globally in the development and implementation of 6G technology. He noted that India is integrating various programs to offer comprehensive technological solutions to the world, further strengthening its position in global telecom leadership.

Goyal highlighted the transformation in government operations, comparing past inefficiencies in inter-departmental communication to the present, where India is set to lead in both technological development and delivery.

“India’s 5G, launched two years ago at the IMC, is now omnipresent, showcasing our capability,” he remarked, stressing the importance of adhering to global quality standards to ensure India is recognized for its excellence.

Investments in telecom infra

Modi pointed out that the significant investments in telecommunications infrastructure, including the rollout of 5G and expansion of fibre networks, have been instrumental in achieving these low data costs. “In just a decade, we have laid enough fibre to cover eight times the distance between the Earth and the moon,” he added.

PM Modi concluded by reaffirming the government’s commitment to maintaining low data costs as a cornerstone of India’s digital strategy, ensuring that the benefits of connectivity extend to every corner of the country.

“In the digital age, affordability is key to equity, and we will continue to prioritise this in our policies,” he said.

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