India Mobile Congress: Mukesh Ambani says data is the new oil, India largest consumer

India Mobile Congress: Mukesh Ambani said 4G will become larger than 2G coverage in India within the next twelve months.

Mukesh Ambani, Reliance Jio, Reliance Jio Phone, Reliance Jio data, Jio Phone data packs, Mukesh Ambani speech, Ambani speech at IMC, India Mobile Congress

India Mobile Congress: Mukesh Ambani said 4G will become larger than 2G coverage in India within the next twelve months.

India has become the world’s largest data consuming nation in the last one year, Mukesh Ambani, Chairman, Reliance Industries, said at the opening of India Mobile World Congress in New Delhi. Ambani said the pace at which the Indian mobile industry has grown is unparalleled in the world and in next 10 years, the economy will grow from a $2.5 trillion economy to a $7 trillion and rank among the top three economies in the world.

Speaking at the first ever India Mobile Congress organised in the capital, Ambani said the country has missed out on the first three industrial revolutions, namely mechanisation, mass production and automation. However, there is still a chance for India to jump into the fourth industrial revolution which is fueled by connectivity, data and artificial intelligence. Ambani predicts mobile internet and cloud computing are the foundational technologies of the fourth industrial revolution.

“Data is the new oil. India does not need to import it. We have it in super abundance, ”Ambani said while addressing the media and audience. According to him, data is the oxygen of the digital economy and the industry should provide ubiquitous access to high-speed data at affordable prices.

According to Ambani, 4G will become larger than 2G coverage in India within the next twelve months. But, at the same time he also echoed that there is urgent need to apply the revolutionary benefits of digital technologies to India’s pressing “needs” and “challenges”.

Reliance Jio which is the newest member in the Indian telecom space has recently started the delivery of the JioPhone in rural areas, before the urban centres. JioPhone is a 4G VoLTE feature phone, something that sets it apart from other feature phones already available in the market. The phone is effectively priced at Rs 0, though users have to pay Rs 1500 as security deposit for three years.

Anuj Bhatia

Anuj Bhatia is a seasoned personal technology writer at indianexpress.com with a career spanning over a decade. Active in the domain since 2011, he has established himself as a distinct voice in tech journalism, specializing in long-form narratives that bridge the gap between complex innovation and consumer lifestyle. Experience & Career: Anuj has been a key contributor to The Indian Express since late 2016. Prior to his current tenure, he served as a Senior Tech Writer at My Mobile magazine and held a role as a reviewer and tech writer at Gizbot. His professional trajectory reflects a rigorous commitment to technology reporting, backed by a postgraduate degree from Banaras Hindu University. Expertise & Focus Areas: Anuj’s reporting covers the spectrum of personal technology, characterized by a unique blend of modern analysis and historical context. His key focus areas include: Core Technology: Comprehensive coverage of smartphones, personal computers, apps, and lifestyle tech. Deep-Dive Narratives: Specializes in composing longer-form feature articles and explainers that explore the intersection of history, technology, and popular culture. Global & Local Scope: Reports extensively on major international product launches from industry titans like Apple and Google, while simultaneously covering the ecosystem of indie and home-grown tech startups. Niche Interests: A dedicated focus on vintage technology and retro gaming, offering readers a nostalgic yet analytical perspective on the evolution of tech. Authoritativeness & Trust Anuj is a trusted voice in the industry, recognized for his ability to de-jargonize trending topics and provide context to rapid technological advancements. His authority is reinforced by his on-ground presence at major international tech conferences and his nuanced approach to product reviews. By balancing coverage of the world's most valuable tech brands with emerging startups, he offers a holistic and objective view of the global technology landscape. Find all stories by Anuj Bhatia here. You can find Anuj on Linkedin. ... Read More