In-built radios in smartphones are compulsory in India.
Smartphones with FM radio could be used for disseminating emergency information.
The free radio service through phones would make things easier for people from rural areas of lower economic strata.
The Indian Government has passed a recommendatory mandate, that all smartphones phones that will be sold and used in India need to have in-built FM radio in them.
The Indian Government has taken this decision in an attempt to help people keep updated about everyday happenings. With an aim to bridge a communication gap between the government and its people, the government has stated that not everyone can buy a radio set separately, so it would be easier for the masses if they had one in their smartphones.
GOI has taken this step considering the people of rural areas and to help them at times of emergencies with timely news updates. The government has sent this mandate to Indian Cellular and Electronics Association (ICEA) and the Manufacturers’ Association for Information Technology (MAIT).
It has been made very clear that not only should radio be in-built in smartphones, but also there shouldn't be the option of disabling it. It needs to be enabled and available at all times on the smartphone.
Why is FM radio crucial for smartphones?
In the recent past, smartphone companies had started making phones without in-built radios. This turned out to be a real problem majorly for the people with lower incomes and who resided in the rural areas.
Smartphones are available with everyone at this point of time, so a lot of people are dependent on it to get the information or know about the daily happenings. But when the smartphone companies stopped the in-built radios, it was difficult for them, as they didn't have the capacity to get a radio set separately.
The Indian Government said that they have taken this decision keeping in mind the advisory by International Telecommunication Union (ITU). The ITU had mentioned that radio broadcasting and communication are no doubt the oldest methods of communication. But also, they help reach information at times of crisis very quickly and efficiently. Hence, except for standalone radios there is a crucial need of in-built radios in a smartphone.
So, this step can basically be considered as an initiative by the Indian Government to try and reach out to majorly the people of the rural communities and provide them information as well as keep them entertained.
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Druti Banerjee
Ayushi is a tech enthusiast learning the ropes while dishing out the latest tech news. And when she's not writing tech news, she loves playing BGMI. View Full Profile
