HIGHLIGHTS

* IT Ministry issued an advisory to add FM radio on all smartphones wherever possible .
* The advisory states that wherever the mobile phone is equipped with an inbuilt FM Radio receiver function or feature, that function or feature is not disabled or deactivated but is kept enabled / activated in the mobile phone.
* The Ministry states that FM radio is a low-cost and reliable mode of communication in case of emergencies.
* Govt has issued an advisory to mobile phone manufacturers to make FM radio easily accessible on smartphones.
* This move will ensure that people have access to information and entertainment through radio services.
* The advisory is not only aimed at providing radio services to the poor, but also at ensuring that FM connectivity is accessible to everyone during critical times.

It has been brought to the notice of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) that during the last 4/5 years there is a drastic fall in mobile phones with FM tuners feature, thereby affecting not only the ability of the poor to get free FM Radio services, but also the Government’s ability to disseminate real time information during emergencies, disasters and calamities.

The FM broadcast is a robust and reliable communication system. FM stations serve as important communication links between the local authorities and people in times of natural disasters (i.e., in catastrophic situations). As per International Telecommunication Union (ITU) – “In times of emergencies and disaster, Radio broadcasting is one of the mostpowerful and effective way ofdelivering early warnings and alerting thepublic to save lives”.

Further, there is need for speedy, timely, and reliable communication via FM enabled mobile phones (apart from regular standalone Radio sets and car receivers) during disasters as this can save precious lives, livelihood and also prepares us better to deal with the disasters.

The availability of vast network of FM transmitters and FM radio in the country played a key role in India’s fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.

In view of the above, it should be ensured that wherever the mobile phone is equipped with an inbuilt FM Radio receiver function or feature, that function or feature is not disabled or deactivated but is kept enabled / activated in the mobile phone.

Further, it is advised that if the FM Radio receiver function or feature is not available in the mobile phones, it may be included.

The industry associations viz. ICEA and MAIT are requested to circulate this advisory among all the mobile phone manufacturers / brands on priority basis.

The Indian government has issued an advisory this week to mobile phone makers in the country to ensure that FM radio is enabled and easily accessible on all smartphones wherever possible .

This move is aimed at bridging the digital divide and making radio services accessible to people in rural and remote areas who cannot afford standalone radio sets. Additionally, this will ensure that people have access to information and entertainment through radio services, particularly during emergencies and disasters.

The advisory was issued by the government to the Indian Cellular and Electronics Association (ICEA) along with the Manufacturers’ Association for Information Technology (MAIT).

The IT ministry has advised that the FM radio function or feature should not be disabled or deactivated if it is inbuilt into mobile phones.

Moreover, if it is not included in mobile phones, the feature should be included in the device wherever possible.

The IT ministry noted that it has observed a significant decline in mobile phones with FM radio in recent years.

This has negatively impacted the poor who rely on free FM radio services as well as the government’s ability to send out real-time information during emergencies, disasters, and calamities.

The IT ministry has highlighted the need for speedy, timely, and reliable communication via FM-enabled mobile phones, in addition to standalone radio sets and car receivers, during disasters, as it can save precious lives, livelihoods and prepare users to deal better with such events.

The advisory cited the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), which has recommended including radio in smartphones.

According to the ITU, radio broadcasting is one of the most powerful and effective ways to provide early warnings and alerts to the public during emergencies and disasters. The advisory highlighted the need for fast, reliable communication through FM-enabled mobile phones during disasters, in addition to standalone radio sets and car receivers. This is crucial to saving lives, protecting livelihoods, and preparing people to cope better with disasters.

Faqs

1) FM radio mode of real-time communication.Details?

Ans) According to the IT ministry, there has been a significant decline in mobile phones with FM radio in recent years. This has severely impacted the lower-income population who rely on free FM radio services and also hampers the government’s ability to send out real-time information during emergencies, disasters, and calamities. The IT ministry has expressed their opinions for speedy, and reliable communication via FM-enabled mobile phones, in addition to the standalone radio sets and car receivers, during a disaster as it can save precious lives and livelihoods.

The advisory cited the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), which has in the past recommended enabling radio in mobile phones. As per the ITU, radio broadcasting is one of the oldest, most effective, and most powerful ways to provide early warnings and alerts to the public during emergencies and disasters. Therefore, there is a need for fast, reliable communication through FM-enabled mobile phones during disasters, in addition to standalone radio sets and car receivers, to save lives, protect livelihoods, and prepare people to cope better with disasters.

This move by the Indian government is a step towards providing access to important information and entertainment services to all citizens, particularly those in rural and remote areas.

2) Why is FM radio crucial for smartphones?

Ans) 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.

3) What is Advisory on inbuilt FM Radio receiver feature in mobile phones ?

Ans) It has been brought to the notice of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) that during the last 4/5 years there is a drastic fall in mobile phones with FM tuners feature, thereby affecting not only the ability of the poor to get free FM Radio services, but also the Government’s ability to disseminate real time information during emergencies, disasters and calamities.

The FM broadcast is a robust and reliable communication system. FM stations serve as important communication links between the local authorities and people in times of natural disasters (i.e., in catastrophic situations). As per International Telecommunication Union (ITU) – “In times ofemergencies and disaster, Radio broadcasting is one ofthe mostpowerful and effective way ofdelivering early warnings and alerting thepublic to save lives”.

Further, there is need for speedy, timely, and reliable communication via FM enabled mobile phones (apart from regular standalone Radio sets and car receivers) during disasters as this can save precious lives, livelihood and also prepares us better to deal with the disasters. The availability of vast network of FM transmitters and FM radio in the country played a key role in India’s fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.

In view of the above, it should be ensured that wherever the mobile phone is equipped with an inbuilt FM Radio receiver function or feature, that function or feature is not disabled or deactivated but is kept enabled / activated in the mobile phone. Further, it is advised that if the FM Radio receiver function or feature is not available in the mobile phones, it may be included.

The industry associations viz. ICEA and MAIT are requested to circulate this advisory among all the mobile phone manufacturers / brands on priority basis.

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