Modi: ‘1GB data’s cost was ₹300, now ₹10

India has joined the elite list of countries to roll out the 5G services and this morning Prime Minister Narendra Modi officially launched 5G at the India Mobile Congress (IMC) in New Delhi. Speaking at this event, PM Modi said, “Launch of 5G service is a gift from the telecom industry to 130 crore Indians. It is a step towards the new era in the country and is the beginning of infinite opportunities.”

“This is a historic day and 5G technology will revolutionize the telecom sector. We will lead the technological advancements in the world. India will lead the Industry 4.0 revolution. This is not the decade of India, but the century of India. Digital India has given every citizen a space. Even the smallest street vendor is using UPI,” quoted PM Modi.

Modi also drew a comparison before and after 2014 changes in the telecom sector and technological advancements in the country. “From exporting zero mobile phones in 2014, to now, when we export phones worth thousands of crores. In 2014, there were only 2 mobile manufacturing facilities in the country. Today that number has increased to over 200 manufacturing facilities. Earlier, the cost of 1 GB data was about Rs 300 and it has come down to about Rs 10 per GB now. On average, a person in India consumes 14 GB per month. This would have cost about Rs 4200 per month but costs Rs 125 to Rs 150. India had 25 crore internet connections back in 2014 and today the number stands at 85 crore. It’s the efforts of the government that led to this,” stated Modi.

Reliance Industries chairman Mukesh Ambani, Jio chairman Akash Ambani, Aditya Birla Group chairman, Kumar Mangalam Birla, Sunil Bharti Mittal, founder and chairman of Airtel have graced this event.

Mukesh Ambani added that Jio will bring 5G services to the entire country by December 2023.