Wi-Fi segment to be worth $22 billion by 2035 in India: Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia
Describing Wi-Fi as 'an invisible force capable of powering visible change,' Scindia hailed India's rapid strides in digital inclusion, noting that India now contributes 46 per cent of global digital transactions. He emphasised that connectivity is no longer a luxury, but a fundamental tool of empowerment, akin to access to capital and infrastructure in previous eras.
'Wi-Fi is not just about internet access; it's about widespread inclusion in India in the future. Every hotspot must become a hope spot,' said Scindia, outlining a vision for grassroots entrepreneurship driven by affordable devices, ubiquitous networks, and deregulated spectrum.
He underscored Prime Minister Modi's vision behind PM-WANI (Wi-Fi Access Network Interface) as a game-changer that democratises digital access, especially in villages. Citing the success of India's low-cost data model, Rs 9 per GB compared to the global average of $2.49, he praised India's leadership in telecom affordability.
Highlighting the recent de-licensing of the 6 GHz spectrum, the Minister said this move will enable multi-gigabit speeds and low-cost digital highways across India. Policy rules for the same will be announced before Independence Day 2025, he added.
Scindia also called on industry stakeholders to innovate for affordable devices, ensuring that hardware does not become the next barrier to connectivity.
'Connectivity is not a commodity; it is an act of nation-building,' he concluded, urging collective commitment to light up every rural home, empower every aspiring mind, and fortify public services with the power of Wi-Fi. (ANI)
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Indian Express
10 minutes ago
- Indian Express
Himachal ministers' power bills total Rs 17.95 lakh in a year; govt saves Rs 59 lakh in subsidy surrender scheme
The Himachal Pradesh government has saved nearly Rs 59 lakh under the electricity surrender subsidy scheme till February 20 this year, according to data placed in the House on the second day of the ongoing Monsoon Session on Tuesday. The state has also incurred an expenditure of Rs 17,95,879 towards electricity bills for residences of cabinet ministers, including Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri and state dignitaries over the past year between January 1, 2024, and February 20, 2025. BJP's Sudhir Sharma, the MLA from Dharamshala, and Congress's Kewal Singh Pathania, the MLA from Shahpur, had sought the information. At Rs 6.78 lakh, the highest bill was for the official residence of Congress MLA from Nagrota, R S Bali, who is also chairman of the Himachal Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation (HPTDC) of cabinet rank. Sukhu's residence at Oak Over incurred a bill of Rs 3.76 lakh during the same period. As per the government statement, the state has benefited by about Rs 59 lakh under the Electricity Subsidy Surrender Scheme till February 20, 2025. The scheme has been operational since last year, providing relief to domestic consumers while ensuring efficient power distribution. On January 2 this year, CM Sukhu was the first person in the state to surrender the subsidy of 125 free units of electricity under his name. The information placed in the House by Sukhu further stated that, alongside subsidy implementation, Himachal Pradesh is aggressively expanding its smart metering network under central schemes like the Integrated Power Development Scheme (IPDS) and Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS). So far, a total of 6,52,955 smart meters have been installed across Shimla city, Dharamshala town, and other areas falling under these schemes. The state aims to complete full smart metering in certain areas by February 2026. For Mandi, Hamirpur, and Kangra towns, Letters of Intent (LOIs) have been issued for the installation of 5,05,078 smart meters specifically targeting system metering and priority consumers. Additionally, the Himachal Pradesh State Electricity Board Limited has approved the installation of 14,78,945 smart consumer meters, which will cover major towns like Kangra, Mandi, and Hamirpur. The implementation of smart meters is expected to reduce power theft, improve billing accuracy, and enhance real-time monitoring for both domestic and commercial consumers.
Hans India
13 minutes ago
- Hans India
ChatGPT Go Debuts in India at Rs 399: Affordable AI Plan with GPT-5, Image Generation, and UPI Support
OpenAI has launched its first country-specific subscription plan, ChatGPT Go, exclusively for India. Priced at Rs 399 per month, the new offering is designed to cater to students, creators, and professionals who frequently use AI tools for learning, work, or personal projects but don't require the higher-capacity plans. The plan marks a significant step for OpenAI, as India has now emerged as the company's second-largest market for ChatGPT. Until now, Indian users could either stick with the free version or opt for the more expensive ChatGPT Plus (Rs 1,999/month) or ChatGPT Pro (Rs 19,900/month). With Go, OpenAI is providing an affordable middle ground tailored to everyday needs. Why ChatGPT Go? According to OpenAI, ChatGPT Go has been created to support day-to-day usage while remaining budget-friendly. It aims to help students with assignments, independent creators with content production, and professionals with tasks like writing, data analysis, or presentation support. Unlike the free plan, which offers limited use, the Go plan unlocks a much broader set of features at a fraction of the cost of higher tiers. Key Features of ChatGPT Go Subscribers to ChatGPT Go get everything from the free plan, along with several extended benefits: Expanded GPT-5 Access: Extended use of OpenAI's latest model, including better support for Indic languages. Extended use of OpenAI's latest model, including better support for Indic languages. Higher Usage Limits: Up to 10 times more messages compared to the free tier. Up to 10 times more messages compared to the free tier. Daily Image Generation: Ability to create visuals directly inside ChatGPT. Ability to create visuals directly inside ChatGPT. File Uploads: Upload multiple documents, spreadsheets, and presentations for quick assistance. Upload multiple documents, spreadsheets, and presentations for quick assistance. Advanced Data Analysis: Frequent access to tools like Python for data exploration and problem-solving. Frequent access to tools like Python for data exploration and problem-solving. Longer Memory: Improved continuity in conversations thanks to a larger context window. Improved continuity in conversations thanks to a larger context window. Custom GPTs and Task Management: Organize projects, track tasks, and build personalized AI tools. As OpenAI explains, the plan delivers 'many of the platform's most frequently used features at a fraction of the cost of Plus.' UPI Integration for Easy Payments A major highlight for Indian users is the support for UPI payments. Previously, ChatGPT subscriptions required debit or credit cards, limiting accessibility. Now, with UPI integration, subscribing has become much easier for a wider user base across the country. How Go Differs from Plus and Pro OpenAI now offers three paid tiers in India: ChatGPT Go (Rs 399/month): For everyday users with extended GPT-5 access, image generation, file uploads, and advanced tools. For everyday users with extended GPT-5 access, image generation, file uploads, and advanced tools. ChatGPT Plus (Rs 1,999/month): For professionals needing priority access, faster response times, and higher usage capacity. For professionals needing priority access, faster response times, and higher usage capacity. ChatGPT Pro (Rs 19,900/month): For enterprises requiring large-scale access, advanced customisation, and higher reliability. Availability The ChatGPT Go plan is live starting today on both the ChatGPT website and mobile app. To subscribe, users need to log in, tap their profile icon, choose 'Upgrade Plan – Try Go', and complete the payment via UPI or other supported methods. Since the rollout is gradual, not all users may see the option right away. OpenAI has confirmed that the feature will expand to more accounts over the coming weeks.
India.com
13 minutes ago
- India.com
Mukesh Ambani's shares jump on stock market, Reliance Industries mcap above Rs 19000000000000, Tata Motors shares price climbs by…
On Tuesday , the stock market surged, with both the Sensex and Nifty trading higher. In this positive sentiment, Reliance Industries' share price started the day at Rs 1,390 and quickly climbed to Rs 1,420.60, marking a sharp rise of 2.76%. This rally boosted Reliance's market capitalization to Rs 19.20 lakh crore, shows its dominant position in the market. Why Reliance Industries Shares Trending? Several factors are behind this upward momentum, like positive investor sentiment driven by the growth potential of the company's telecom and FMCG divisions. Reliance Jio has made a strategic move by raising its tariffs and discontinuing its entry-level plan which will make customers opt for higher value options. At the same time Reliance Consumer Products Ltd. (RCPL) has entered the healthy beverage segment through a joint venture with Naturedge Beverages, another move contributing to renewed investor enthusiasm. How Reliance Industries And Tata Motors Led Rally In Stock Market? Benchmark stock indices Sensex and Nifty advanced on Tuesday, marking their fourth consecutive day of gains, mainly driven by Reliance Industries and Tata Motors. Rising for the fourth trading day in a row, the 30-share BSE Sensex edged higher by 370.64 points or 0.46 per cent to settle at 81,644.39. During the day, it jumped 482.13 points or 0.59 per cent to 81,755.88. The 50-share NSE Nifty climbed 103.70 points or 0.42 per cent to 24,980.65. Among Sensex firms, Tata Motors rose the most by 3.5 per cent while Adani Ports gained 3.16 per cent. Reliance Industries rose by 2.82 per cent. Eternal, Tech Mahindra, Kotak Mahindra Bank, Hindustan Unilever and Maruti were also among the gainers. (With Inputs From PTI)
