IMC 2019 Day 2: Govt’s C-DOT Showcases Messaging App ‘Samvad’
Indian Mobile Congress is the largest digital technology forum in South Asia.
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The second day of the Indian Mobile Congress (IMC) began with the govt-owned technology development centre C-DOT unveiling the indigenously developed messaging service, Samvad.
The event was inaugurated on Monday, 15 October, by IT Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad, with tech companies showcasing their vision for the future, mostly demonstrating the the significance of the technology in today’s world.
The event was headlined by DoT Secretary Anshu Prakash, TRAI Chairman Dr RS Sharma and Huawei India CEO Mr Jay Chen, along with IT Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad.
Reliance Jio showcased its idea for bypassing consumer support for good, while Huawei’s sub-brand, Honor entered the TV market with its latest.
- The Indian Mobile Congress is taking place from 14 to 16 October in Delhi’s Aerocity
- Union IT Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said that innovation and communication are equivalent to power in the 21st Century
- Organised by the Dept of Telecommunications (DoT) and Cellular Operator Association of India (COAI), IMC is the largest digital technology forum in South Asia
- Technologies like 5G, IoT and smart homes have taken centrestage at this year’s IMC
Reliance and Samsung Showcase 5G Use Cases
On day two of the India Mobile Congress Reliance Jio and Samsung showcased use cases of 5G at the with focus on virtual classrooms, healthcare and public safety.
Govt Telecom Tech Developer C-DOT Showcases Messaging App ‘Samvad’
Govt-owned technology development centre C-DOT showcased the indigenously developed messaging service, Samvad on the second day of IMC 2019.
"We have our own WhatsApp called Samvad. It means dialogue. One can implement it for their own country." said Dr Vipin Tyagi, Executive Director, C-DOT.
"Technology has moved forward. This is the time India is getting into 5G, AI, Iot. The infrastructure exist in our country," he added.
Implemented Satellite Based Connectivity in African Countries: TCIL Executive Director
Executive Director of the Government owned engineering and consultancy firm Telecom Consultants Telecommunications Consultants India (TCIL), Rahul Kumar Goel on day two of IMC 2019 announced that TCIL had implemented VSAT (satellite based) connectivity in African countries under pan-African Enetwork project, he said.
He said that TCIL was establishing India as a global hub for cloud computing, content hosting and delivery and data communication.
“We are providing WiFi hotspots. We are providing connectivity to gram panchayats,” he added.
Easy to Build 5G Networks, Affordable Devices a Challenge: Airtel CRO Ravi Gandhi
Ravi Gandhi, CRO for Airtel India, while speaking at a discussion at the IMC, said that the spectrum is the most important factor when it comes to implementation of 5G. He said that it is easy to build the networks but if there are no affordable devices, it gets difficult to pick up.
Jio Showcases Customer Service With AI Video Bot
Calling customer care and other similar services tend to get very cumbersome for users, therefore, Reliance Jio showcased a first-of-a-kind video based service support that seeks to change the way issues are resolved for generic users.
This will come in handy for telcos, banking institutions, and any other support system used to reach out to customers. The technology the service is based on is an AI-centric video bot which can be customised and designed as per a company’s needs.
Jio is calling it the ‘world’s first app-less video call bot’ and it will work via normal phone dial on mobile devices. But the telco has designed the platform in such a way that users can also make use of the service on a feature phone as well.
5G Can Help Put Technology at a Better Place in a Country Like India: TRAI Chairman
Dr RS Sharma, chairman for the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI), while speaking at a discussion at the Indian Mobile Congress, said that the Digital India vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi is making India an empowered nation. He said that given the size of the country and the diversity, 5G can help put technology at a much better use that will be helpful to the common people.
Telecom to Help India Reach $5 Trillion Goal: Jio Director Mahendra Nahata
Mahendra Nahata, Director on Board of Reliance Jio, said that the Telecom sector has an important role to play towards making India a $5 Trillion economy by 2024.
Nahata also said that telecom is also the prime support service needed for the growth of every sector.
"India is poised to become a 5 trillion economy by 2024. Telecom sector too has an important role to play in this growth. It is prime support service needed for growth of every sector."
Law Enforcement Should Have Access to Source of Messages Fueling False Rumours: RS Prasad
IT and Communications Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said India respects encryption but insisted that law enforcement agencies should be able to identify source of messages that are being circulated to fuel false rumours and violence.
"We respect encryption but where same message is being relayed repeatedly at same time, same area and on same issue to create chaos and spread false rumours, law enforcement agencies must have access ...source of nuisance must be identified to deal with circulation of false rumours in such cases," Prasad said at the India Mobile Congress 2019 here.
Internet must be stable, safe and secure and "we must ensure this", the Minister added.
The issue of traceability has been a flashpoint between the government and messaging giant, WhatsApp.
Facebook-owned WhatsApp has so far resisted India's demand for identification of message originators, arguing that doing so would undermine its policy on privacy and end-to-end encryption.
Jio Goes Big on Smart Homes, Security Solutions
Reliance Jio went big on its smart home and home security solutions at the 2019 Indian Mobile Congress. The company offered on display, its home security solutions which offer gated systems with motion tracking and alert systems.
Investors, Industry Bodies, Telecos, Govt Must Work Together on Future: KPMG CEO Arun Kumar
"The amalgamation of sectors and players is shaping a new narrative. Telecom, media and tech are creating biggest disruptions,” Arun Kumar, KPMG CEO said while addressing the IMC. He said that Investors, industry bodies, telcos and government must come together to create a roadmap for the future.
Huawei 5G Goes Beyond 5G in India, Says Huawei CEO
While addressing the IMC 2019, Huawei India CEO Jay Chen said that Huawei’s vision for 5G goes beyond just 5G, it integrates 5G with Artificial Intelligence.
From 2 Companies in 2014 to 268 Manufacturers Today: RS Prasad
Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad, while addressing the Indian Mobile Congress, said that from only two manufacturers in 2014, India now houses 268 mobile companies, including some of the world’s biggest players, indicating at how far the country has come in terms of manufacturing technology on its land.
Communication is Power: IT Minister RS Prasad Inaugurates IMC 2019
Union IT Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad, while addressing the Indian Mobile Congress, said that this year’s theme has impressed him the most. He further said that in this era, communication and innovation are power.
Prasad also said that he would like India Mobile Congress to give more exposure to the start-up ecosystem of India so that it shines.
“Data privacy, data innovation, data utility and most important promotion of data economy – all this needs to have balance,” Mr Prasad said.
PM Modi Wishes Success to IMC 2019
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in a video address, wished success to the Indian Mobile Congress. In the video, PM Modi said that IMC is one of the largest digital events in South Asia that displays the knowledge and innovation of the 21st century.
IT Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad Marks his Presence
Ravi Shankar Prasad, Union Electronics and Information Technology Minister of India is also present at the India Mobile Congress. Prasad was accompanied by Anshu Prakash, Secretary, for Dept of Telecommunications, who kicked off the event by saying that the IMC is a collective resolve for all in translating technology for the benefit of all to promote ease of living, ease of business and prosperity and equity for all.
Airtel to Demonstrate 5G, Digital Solutions for Businesses
Airtel, last week announced that it will demonstrate its 5G network live at the IMC, according to The Times of India. The company, apart from 5G, will also demonstrate digital solutions for businesses and smart cities at the IMC.
Home Minister Amit Shah to Inaugurate IMC 2019
Union Home Minister Amit Shah will on Monday, 14 October, inaugurate the Indian Mobile Congress in New Delhi’s Aerocity.
According to The Hindu, Shah will speak for 20 minutes and some key announcements are also to be made during his presence.
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