Jio 5G service to launch in India in second half of 2021: Mukesh Ambani
New Delhi, Dec 8: Billionaire Mukesh Ambani on Tuesday hinted at rolling out 5G telecom services in the second half of 2021 and said policy steps are needed to accelerate the early rollout of ultra-high-speed 5G services that are affordable and available everywhere.
Ambani, whose four-year-old telecom venture Jio has captured the No.1 spot offering free voice calling and data at dirt-cheap rates, also pitched for developing hardware manufacturing in India, saying the nation cannot rely on imports in such a critical area.
5G is the 5th generation mobile network that enables connecting virtually everyone and everything together including machines, objects, and devices.
India, he said, is today among the best digitally connected nations in the world.
"In order to maintain this lead, policy steps are needed to accelerate the early rollout of 5G, and to make it affordable and available everywhere," he said. "I assure you that Jio will pioneer the 5G Revolution in India in the second half of 2021."
Jio's 5G will be powered by the indigenously-developed network, hardware and technology components. "Jio's 5G service will be a testimony to your inspiring vision of AtmaNirbhar Bharat."
Jio and other service providers such as Bharti Airtel and Vodafone Idea offer 4G services. The country however also has a 2G network that supports only voice calling and text messaging.
"As many as 300 million mobile subscribers in India are still trapped in the 2G era. Urgent policy steps are needed to ensure that these underprivileged people have an affordable smartphone so that they too can benefit from direct benefit transfer into their bank accounts, and actively participate in the digital economy," he said.
India has over a billion phone users.
His company offers low-priced smartphones that allow internet access.
"I can say with utmost confidence that 5G will enable India to not only participate in the Fourth Industrial Revolution but also to lead it," he said.
As the digitalisation of the Indian economy and Indian society picks up speed, the demand for digital hardware will grow enormously.
"We cannot rely on large-scale imports in this area of critical national need," Ambani, Chairman and Managing Director of Reliance Industries Ltd, said.
Stating that many leading global companies are coming to India to set up manufacturing facilities, he said the country has developed world-class strengths in chip design.
"I clearly foresee India becoming a major hub for the state-of-the-art semiconductor industry," he said. "When all the stakeholders work together, we can surely ensure that India's success in hardware will match our success in software."
Jio Platforms, with its family of over 20 start-up partners, has built world-class capabilities in artificial intelligence, cloud computing, big data, machine learning, the internet of things and blockchain.
"We are creating compelling home-grown solutions in education, healthcare, agriculture, infrastructure, financial services and new commerce," he said. "Each of these solutions, once proven in India, will be offered to the rest of the world to address global challenges."
Ambani said India has the historic opportunity to become the world's pre-eminent digital society with ease of living for all.
"My conviction comes from the enormous transformative power of the digital technologies," he said.
India, he said, has two unique strengths - the confluence of three D's vibrant democracy, young demography and digital transformation, and the visionary and dynamic leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
While the outbreak of COVID-19 posed life-threatening challenges, high-speed 4G connectivity infrastructure has proved to be India's Digital Lifeline, he said.
Throughout 2020, India worked online, studied online, shopped online, received healthcare online, socialised online, played online. "Simply put, India thrived online."
With the coronavirus induced recession behind, Ambani said the Indian economy will not only bounce back but will also grow with unprecedented acceleration.
"India can and India will prove cynics wrong by becoming a USD 5 trillion economy," he said. "It will be a more equal India, with increased incomes, increased employment, and improved quality of life for 1 billion Indians at the middle and bottom of the economic pyramid."
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CM Sai says Chhattisgarh now 'free' of Naxalism, hails March 31 as historic day for state
Raipur (PTI): Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai on Tuesday asserted Chhattisgarh was now "free" of Naxalism and described March 31, the deadline set by the Centre to eradicate Maoism, as a "historic" day for the state, which was once a hotbed of the violent movement.
Targeting the Opposition Congress, Sai alleged that during the 'Bharat Jodo Yatra', party leader Rahul Gandhi had shared the stage with Naxalites at several locations.
Speaking on sidelines of a programme in Raipur, the CM thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah for providing decisive leadership in the fight against Left-wing extremism (LWE) and said the insurgency had long been a major obstacle to development.
"Today marks a truly historic day for Chhattisgarh as Naxalism is being eliminated from the state. On behalf of the 30 million people of Chhattisgarh, we extend our deepest gratitude to Prime Minister Modi ji and Home Minister Amit Shah ji," he said.
In 2024, the Centre set a deadline of March 31, 2026, to completely eliminate Naxal violence from the country.
The vast Bastar region, once an epicentre of Naxal violence, remained largely untouched by development for 40 years, but it can now progress rapidly, Sai maintained.
Asked about Shah's statement in the Lok Sabha on Monday that when Rahul Gandhi undertook his march, many Leftists joined it, Sai said, "during the 'Desh Jodo Yatra' undertaken by the Congress MP, he met Naxalites at numerous locations.
At several places, Naxalites even shared the stage with him (Gandhi), the BJP leader alleged.
"When notorious Naxal leader Madvi Hidma, responsible for killing hundreds of people, including our security personnel, was neutralised (in late 2025), people chanted slogans that 'many more Hidmas will emerge'. Gandhi even posted them (slogans) on social media, which shows his intent," the CM stated.
When pointed out that former CM Bhupesh Baghel used to claim that evidence regarding the deadly Jhiram Ghati attack by Maoists was in his "pocket", Sai said, "When the Congress was in power, it failed to act despite claiming to have enough proof."
Even after being in power for five years (2018-23), they could neither investigate the Jhiram Ghati case nor produce the so-called proof, the CM opined.
The Maoist attack on May 25, 2013, targeted a Congress convoy during the party's 'Parivartan Rally' ahead of assembly elections, killing 32 people, including then Chhattisgarh Congress chief Nand Kumar Patel, former Leader of Opposition Mahendra Karma, and ex-Union minister V C Shukla.
In a series of posts on 'X', Sai spoke about the end of Naxalism in the BJP-ruled state.
"A Fear-Free Bastar, A Naxal-Free Chhattisgarh. Where once the echoes of gunfire resounded, today flows a new current of development, trust, and good governance. Emerging from the shadow of fear, Bastar is now marching forward with unwavering resolve on the path of self-confidence and progress," he noted.
He credited effective policies of the BJP-led governments in Chhattisgarh and at the Centre for the turnaround in Bastar, which was once associated with Naxal violence.
"This transformation is the fruit of our 'Double Engine' governments' steadfast resolve, effective policies, and unwavering trust of people. A place where peace has triumphed over fear and security has inspired confidence. Prosperity is steering Bastar's bright future toward new heights," Sai noted.
A new chapter of peace, development, and trust has started in Chhattisgarh, especially in Bastar, the CM declared.
"Today, every village shines with light, every path leads to development, and every face bears not fear, but a smile. The sunrise of March 31, 2026, stands witness to Bastar's transformation - from a region once defined by fear to one embracing a hopeful and bright future. A New Bastar, A New Chhattisgarh, a new chapter of peace, development, and trust," he asserted.
