The Indian government has made it mandatory for all smartphones sold in the country to have FM Radio. The move aims to bridge the digital divide and ensure radio services are available to all citizens in remote and rural areas where standalone radio sets are not always affordable or accessible.

FM Radio Offers Essential Communication Links

Radio broadcasting is one of the oldest, most effective, and most reliable ways of communication. It is used to send warnings and alerts to the public in case of emergencies and disasters, acting as an important communication link between local authorities and the public. Additionally, FM Radio also offers access to information and entertainment.

FM Radio Feature Must Be Enabled

The Minister of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has stated that the FM Radio feature should not be disabled if it is built into smartphones. If devices don’t have it, then it should be included. Most smartphone chipsets support FM Radio, but OEMs disable it. Cupertino-based tech giant, Apple does not provide FM Radio on its iPhones.

Government Issues Advisory to Associations

The Indian government has issued an advisory to the Indian Cellular and Electronics Association (ICEA) and Manufacturers’ Association for Information Technology (MAID) to ensure that FM Radio is easily accessible on smartphones. This move has brought relief to radio enthusiasts and consumers in remote and rural areas, as they will now have access to local radio stations, music, and other programs on their smartphones.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Indian government’s move to make FM Radio mandatory on all smartphones sold in the country is a step towards bridging the digital divide and ensuring that radio services are available to all citizens. FM Radio offers essential communication links in times of emergency and also provides access to information and entertainment. The government’s advisory to associations will ensure that the FM Radio feature is enabled on all smartphones sold in India.