FM Radio becomes a mandatory app for smartphones, Government issues advisory
The Government of India has made it a mandate for smartphone manufacturers that FM Radio must be a primary application in all smartphones that are being sold in India.
The Indian Cellular Electronics Association (ICEA) along with the Manufacturers' Association for Information Technology (MAIT) made this suggestion to the Indian Government.
Following the suggestions and the recommendations, the Ministry of Electronics and IT (MeitY) has asked all the manufacturers to ensure that the FM Radio is present as a primary app in the smartphones that are being sold across India.
The government has also highlighted that the radio app should neither be disabled nor deactivated, rather it should be working as one primary app in the phone.
It may be mentioned here that with the number of radio listeners declining especially in the urban areas, many smartphone manufacturers have either removed the app or have made it redundant.
But according to the ministry, in rural and remote areas people still depend on radio and over the years majorly on the FM radio for being connected to receiving communication about government schemes, plans and projects.
The government stated that FM radio is a low-cost and effective mode of communication for it to reach all strata of society, especially those in rural and remote areas. Furthermore, since smartphone penetration is very deep, low-income populations and those in remote areas are more likely to own a smartphone than a standalone radio device.
The IT Ministry also gave reference to the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), which has also suggested the importance of radio in phones especially during natural calamities or emergencies.
See What’s Next in Tech With the Fast Forward Newsletter
Tweets From @varindiamag
Nothing to see here - yet
When they Tweet, their Tweets will show up here.