In an exclusive interview with Telecom Review, Ramakrishna P., CEO, India Mobile Congress (IMC), gave an overview of the IMC’s evolution to becoming Asia's largest technology expo and discussed its role as a key player in global digital transformation.
With the 8th edition of India Mobile Congress approaching, could you elaborate on the evolution and milestones of this event over the years?
Over the past decade, India has witnessed massive growth due to the data revolution, which has been driven by the rapid expansion of 4G networks, and now, 5G, affordable smartphones, and low-cost data plans. This digital surge has transformed the country into one of world’s largest data consumers, fueling innovations in the industry. Aligning with this transformation, the journey of the India Mobile Congress (IMC) over its previous seven editions has been a remarkable evolution as well, solidifying its position as Asia's largest technology expo and a key player in global digital transformation.
Since its inception, IMC has consistently seen a growing participation from global leaders, startups, and industry experts. Each year, the event has expanded its scope, and the last edition of IMC in 2023 witnessed over 1.5 lac attendees, CXO-level delegates and speakers, 600+ exhibitors, and participation from over 67 countries. IMC 2024, held from 15-18 October in New Delhi, India, will continue on this trajectory, serving as a vibrant platform where India leads the charge in shaping the future of technology, underscoring its role as a global digital powerhouse.
What are the key highlights of this year’s India Mobile Congress, and how do they reflect the advancements and trends shaping both the Indian and global technology industries?
IMC 2024 will spotlight over 1,100 exhibitors and participation from 120+ countries, featuring various discussions and showcases on AI, 6G, semiconductors, cleantech, quantum, SATCOM, electronics manufacturing, IoT, broadcasting and other emerging areas in the tech and telecom sector. The event also aims to showcase more than 900 technology use-case scenarios and host 100+ sessions and talks by more than 600 global speakers.
Through the second edition of ‘Aspire’—a pioneering startup program—we aim to enable more than 500 one-on-one meetings and interactions for startups with more than 1,000 potential investors, angels, incubators and VC funds. With participation from various countries, IMC 2024 underscores India's commitment to global technology leadership and collaboration. The forum will serve as a live demonstration of India's technological prowess and its pivotal role in becoming a global leader in these domains.
India has recently seen significant reforms in the technology and telecom sectors, driven by government initiatives. How do you perceive the industry's response to these changes, and how does the IMC serve as a platform to showcase and support this evolving landscape?
There have been various initiatives from the Indian government on the fronts of AI, 5G, and quantum, which have really enabled the industry to innovate, invest in R&D, and witness transformative progress in the last few years. In line with these developments, the IMC 2024 is going to put a major focus on AI- and GenAI-based discussions, and will showcase and delve into themes like ‘AI in networks’, ‘AI in Chipsets’, and ‘Ethical AI’. The Aspire program will also witness over 140 startups focusing on AI-based applications in different industries.
The IMC is happening alongside the World Telecommunication Standardization Assembly (WTSA) this year. How do you think the platform will shape thought leadership and aid in the evolution of future technologies?
The India Mobile Congress (IMC) 2024 is happening concurrently with the World Telecommunication Standardization Assembly (WTSA) 2024, which presents a unique opportunity for India that is poised to significantly shape thought leadership and drive the evolution of future technologies. India is set to host the WTSA-24 from October 15-24, which occurs every four years to “define the work program, working methods, and structure of study groups” for the ITU’s Telecommunication Standardization Sector (ITU-T). The WTSA-24 forum is expected to witness over 1,800 delegates from 193 member countries, global standardization bodies, and the telecom/ICT industry.
By bringing together a diverse group of technology leaders, policymakers, innovators, and industry experts, IMC 2024 will also add immense value to thought leadership, global standards, and foster a collaborative environment where new ideas can be explored and transformed into real-world applications.
The Middle East and India maintain strong trade ties. Will there be participation from the Middle East this year? Are there any special highlights?
As IMC is happening parallel to WTSA-24, we are anticipating participation from 120+ countries, including the Middle Eastern nations. We will have telecom ministers, regulators, policymakers, and other key stakeholders coming together to discuss advancements in areas like artificial intelligence (AI), SATCOM, broadcasting, etc., through various significant programs like AI for Good, the Global Summit 2024 and the Global Regulators’ Conference. Moreover, we have received keen interest from Middle Eastern countries, which wish to collaborate with Indian startups that are leveraging 5G technology in the field of agritech.
