TRAI Invites Public Feedback on Methods to Make Smartphone Inexpensive in India

Telecom regulator TRAI on Thursday invited public feedback to discover methods and means to make smartphone inexpensive within the nation for digital inclusion.

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) as a part of its session paper on “Digital Inclusion in the Era of Emerging Technologies” will assess if measures taken by the federal government resembling focussing on native manufacturing are ample to carry down the costs of smartphones in India.

“What measures should be taken to make digital devices and digital connectivity affordable to the citizens for empowering them to maximize the benefits of an inclusive digital society?” TRAI requested within the session paper.

In the paper, TRAI has cited instance of smartphone financing and exploring viability of second hand smartphones within the nation.

The regulator sees that the fast tempo of technological developments and launch of 5G enabled providers together with synthetic intelligence and machine studying can widen digital divide if not made inexpensive and accessible to marginalized communities and underserved areas.

“Unequal access of infrastructure, limited digital literacy, and affordability issues could hinder the equitable distribution and utilization of emerging technologies, exacerbating existing disparities in digital inclusion. To ensure comprehensive digital inclusion, it is imperative to address the gaps which are likely to arise due to emerging technologies,” TRAI stated.

The regulator has mounted October 16 as final date for giving feedback and October 31 for counter feedback on the paper.